Tripura: Indo-Bangla trade resumption triggers resentment amid corona

AGARTALA, MAY 11

Resumption of trade through Muhurighat land Custom Station(LCS) that falls under the Belonia sub-division of South Tripura district triggered massive resentment among the locals. After almost more than a month, good laden Lorries started entering Tripura through Belonia on Monday prompting the locals to take to the streets against the move. It is worthy to be mentioned here that Muhurighat land custom station stands at the second position after Akhaura integrated check post located at Agartala.

As soon as the news spread the civil administration swung into action and dispersed the mob to ensure free passage to the vehicles coming from Bangladesh. According to the locals, this move might act as an invitation call to COVID 19 as Bangladesh has recorded 239 deaths. The total tally has crossed 15,691-mark. The country saw 887 new cases coming on May 10.

Sources said, a good number of people gathered in front of the LCS as soon as the borders were opened and started protesting. Soon a high power team consisting of District Magistrate South Tripura, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Belonia, Belonia police super, MLA Arun Chandra Bhowmik, SDPO Belonia and BSF officials rushed to the spot and dispersed the mob.

Police sources said, soon we have been informed about the development a police team rushed to the spot and take control over the situation. The locals fear a sudden spread of COVID 19 in the area due to these transborder transactions, but the authorities are taking ample protective measures to prevent any outbreak.

Speaking on the issue, a source of the LCS said, “We are taking all the preventive steps. All the vehicles entering the state are being sanitized properly. And, none of the driver is being allowed to venture out during the unloading process”.

Meanwhile, on Monday, 8 lorries carrying cement entered Tripura. Things like cement and coal come very frequently through this LCS.

Why are people protesting?

In another incident, 10 Bangladeshi national have been arrested from a bordering area located in the city outskirts of Agartala. The arrest from the Rajnagar area of Joypur under West Tripura district located in the vicinity of Agartala has triggered panic and a sense of insecurity among the locals prompting them to question the safety of the city. Albeit, the police have said that they entered the state seven months back with the help of some agents active in trans-border movements, a sense of tension descended in precursors of COVID spread the threat.

Speaking to reporters, Md Masud Rana revealed that he had entered Tripura through some special arrangements made to cross the borders and paid money to some agents for giving a safe passage.

Bangladesh has struggling to handle the skyrocketing trend of COVID cases for the last few days. Such a scenario has made the locals skeptical of maintaining trade with the neighbouring country.

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