Trade between Tripura and Bangladesh was suspended through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Akhaura here due to indefinite strike called by Agartala Exporters-Importers Association, besides strike and violence in the neighbouring country.

Association Secretary Habul Biswas today said that the strike was called to protest against the imposition of high tariff rate in ‘loading and unloading’ by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).

The ICP was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in the presence of Bangladesh Home Minister Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir on November 17 last year.

Biswas alleged that the trade between the two countries has come down due to the high rate of tariff which needs to be revised.

He claimed that the matter was taken up with the state Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury who stated that it was dealt by the Central Government.

Biswas said: “Earlier labour charge for loading and unloading each cement bag was only Rs 2, but now CWC has increased it to Rs 5.80. Similarly, unloading of a stone chip-carrying truck was only Rs 700 and now it is Rs 1,700.”

Meanwhile, the Agartala-Dhaka bus service was also suspended for an indefinite period following violence and strike in neighbouring Bangladesh, official sources said.

Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) officials said that Dhaka-Agartala bus has not been plying since Sunday last following strike and violence in Bangladesh.

Managing Director of TRTC, Rabindra Reang, said in view of the current political turmoil in the neighbouring country, plying of the Moitree service from Agartala and Shyamali service from Dhaka has become uncertain.

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