Will the Hili port deadlock be resolved in the Chief Minister's meeting?
Hili Land Port. Agamir Somoy.
Due to an indefinite strike called by Indian traders, all imports and exports through the Hili land port in Dinajpur have remained suspended for the third consecutive day. To resolve the ongoing deadlock, Indian traders are now looking towards an administrative meeting of the West Bengal Chief Minister. They are preparing to submit a memorandum highlighting various problems of Hili land port during the meeting with the Chief Minister tomorrow, (Wednesday).
Traders have said that if positive decisions are taken in that meeting to resolve administrative complexities and infrastructure issues, they may consider withdrawing the strike. Otherwise, the agitation will continue.
The strike has paralyzed commercial activities at Hili port. Thousands of workers and employees have been rendered jobless. Traders fear huge financial losses due to their inability to import and export goods on time.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no decision had been received from the Indian traders' side regarding the withdrawal of the strike or resumption of import-export through the port. Consequently, relevant sources said there is little possibility of normal trade activities resuming through Hili land port until Wednesday.
Traders pin hopes on Chief Minister's meeting
West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari is scheduled to attend an administrative meeting in Balurghat town of South Dinajpur district tomorrow. Traders have prepared to submit a memorandum at that meeting, highlighting trade-related problems, administrative complexities, and various infrastructural limitations of Hili land port.
Bikash Mandal, Secretary of the Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association of India, said on Tuesday morning that traders are incurring losses because Hili land port is lagging behind in commercial competition compared to other land ports in West Bengal. Various administrative complications have made doing business here difficult.
He said, "Although we have repeatedly appealed to the concerned authorities to resolve the issues, no effective steps have been taken. So we were compelled to suspend all exports to Bangladesh from last Sunday. A memorandum will be submitted on behalf of the traders at the Chief Minister's administrative meeting in Balurghat on Wednesday. We will raise various demands including removal of administrative barriers and infrastructural development. If the Chief Minister takes the matter seriously, the strike may be withdrawn. Otherwise, the agitation will continue."
Strike demanding resolution of administrative complications
The Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association of India has alleged that they face various administrative complications and obstacles in conducting trade through Hili land port compared to other land ports in West Bengal. As a result, traders are falling behind commercially and incurring losses.
Traders' leaders say that while trade activities at other land ports are comparatively smooth, there are allegations of various administrative restrictions and illegal interference in exporting goods to Bangladesh through Hili. Despite repeatedly applying and appealing for resolution of these issues without effective remedy, they have suspended all exports to Bangladesh since last Sunday. At the same time, imports from Bangladesh to India have also stopped.
Hundreds of cargo trucks stranded
Due to the suspension of imports and exports for three days, hundreds of cargo-laden trucks are stuck inside India and in the border area. Since the goods on these trucks cannot enter Bangladesh in time, there is growing concern over perishable items and various other commodities. On the other hand, traders who have opened LCs are also fearing financial losses as they are not receiving goods on time.
Md. Shahinur Islam Mandal, General Secretary of the Hili Customs C&F Agents Association of Bangladesh, said, "Until Tuesday afternoon, no news regarding the reopening of the port has been received from the Indian traders' side. With trade suspended for three consecutive days, all port users—importers, exporters, C&F agents, transport operators, and all associated parties—are suffering losses."
Traders' concerns
Md. Wahedur Rahman Rupon, a trader at Hili land port, said that many traders have already opened LCs. Hundreds of cargo trucks are stuck on the Indian side. If goods do not reach the country within the stipulated time, traders will face huge financial losses. He therefore demanded that the administrative problems on the Indian side be resolved quickly so that import-export through the port can resume.
Thousands of workers jobless
The worst affected by the suspension of import-export through the port are the daily-wage labourers. Since Indian cargo trucks are not entering, the unloading of goods has also stopped.
Golap Hossain, a worker at Hili port, said, "The income from daily work runs our households. But with work suspended for three days, our earnings have stopped. If trade remains closed like this, workers' families may face food shortages."
Customs internal operations normal
Although cross-border trade is halted, the internal operations of Hili land customs station remain normal, said revenue official Parvez. He informed that the necessary customs formalities for previously imported goods are being completed and clearance is being granted as per regulations.
Relevant sources said that if trade remains suspended for a long time, not only importers and exporters but also transport owners, C&F agents, workers, traders, and thousands of people directly or indirectly associated with the port will suffer financially. They have therefore called upon the concerned authorities of both countries to take prompt initiative to resolve the ongoing crisis and restore normal trade activities at Hili land port.
