Shawdesh Desk:

Import and export activities between Bangladesh and India through the Hili land port in Dinajpur have been suspended for six days due to the upcoming Durga Puja.

This decision was made by Indian exporters and customs C and F agents.

The suspension will be effective from October 9 until October 14.

However, passenger movement with valid passports and visas through the Hili immigration checkpoint will remain unaffected during this period.

Sakhawat Hossain Shiplu, president of the Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, said that the import-export activities will resume on October 15. However, businesses will be allowed to clear goods imported from India during non-holiday periods.

Shahinur Islam Mondol, general secretary of the Hili Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association, mentioned that Rajesh Agarwala, vice-president of the Indian Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association, informed them through a letter about the suspension from October 9 to 14.

A source from the Hili Land Customs Station added that except for public holidays during the Puja, customs operations will continue as usual. Traders can clear their goods from the port’s warehouse by paying the applicable government taxes.

Meanwhile, Md Badiuzzaman, officer-in-charge of the Hili Immigration Checkpost, confirmed that despite the halt in import-export activities, passengers with valid passports and visas will still be able to travel between Bangladesh and India through the checkpoint.

All immigration activities are open from 9:00am to 6:30pm every day, he added.