Export-import activities at Benapole port halted

Export- import activities through Benapole Land Port remained halted for the second day yesterday following an attack on Joint Commissioner Mustafizur Rahman and Deputy Commissioner Nitis Chandra of Benapole Customs House, allegedly by Bangladesh Chattra League men.

Nazrul Islam, secretary of Benapole Customs Officers' Association, said they will go on strike in all the customs houses across the country if the authorities concerned fail to arrest the attackers soon.

Nitis Chandra said some local Chhatra League men wanted to purchase some goods put on auction by the customs authorities, but Joint Commissioner turned down their proposal.

They locked in an altercation with Mustafizur Rahman at his office and at one stage, assaulted him. Nitish Chandra was also assaulted when he tried to save Mustafizur.

Protesting the incident, the officers' association and employees of the Customs House stopped all activities on Wednesday noon.

Holding Chattra League men responsible for the attack, the officials and employees wore black badges and staged demonstration in protest against the incident yesterday.

Police, Rab and BGB carried out a combined operation in different areas of Benapole, but failed to arrest the attackers.