India halts goods supply to Sonamasjid land port

India has suspended goods shipments to Bangladesh’s Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj amid a dispute over requiring Indian truck drivers and their assistants to stay inside the port overnight while awaiting cargo unloading.

The suspension began on Thursday (October 29) morning after Indian authorities and traders objected to the requirement, according to port officials.

Sonamasjid Land Port Assistant Customs Commissioner Md Masud Rana said the authorities had sent letters to the relevant authorities in both countries on October 6, asking Indian drivers and their assistants to remain inside the port until their goods were unloaded.

In response, Prosenjit Ghosh, general secretary of India’s Mahadipur Export Association, sent a letter calling for arrangements to allow drivers and assistants to move freely while waiting for unloading.

Mobinur Rahman Mia, president of the Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agents Association, said the overnight-stay requirement was introduced over concerns that drivers returning to India before unloading could bring drugs and other illegal goods into Bangladesh. He said several people had previously been detained over such allegations.