Benapole customs employees, C&F agents on strike

Employees of Benapole Customs and C&F agents began an indefinite strike from Tuesday morning demanding removal and exemplary punishment of joint commissioner of customs Masudul Kabir.

Import and export activities through Benapole land port remained suspended since yesterday morning in support of the strike.

Nuruzzaman, general secretary of C & F Agents' Association and Shafauddin, president of Benapole Customs House Employees' Union accused the joint commissioner of rude behaviour with C & F agents and employees of the association, sparking strong resentment among port employees.

Leaders of these two organisations alleged that high-handedness of the joint commissioner has exceeded the limit triggering the strike call by the aggrieved employees.

Some officials of the Benapole Customs House however said that a section of dishonest importers are fanning trouble to create deadlock at the land port after failing to get the joint commissioner to soften his stance against financial offences including import of goods from India without declaration.

The strike will cause the government a loss of about Tk two crore a day in revenue earnings, sources at the Benapole Customs House said.

The joint commissioner could not be reached for his comment despite several attempts to contact him over phone.

Security measures have been stepped up at the land port where tension prevailed.