TRUCK DRIVERS AND TRANSPORTERS PROTESTED AGAINST BSF AT ICP PETRAPOLE
(District – North 24 Parganas)
On 27 January, 2022, truck drivers and transporters at ICP Petrapole have called for a fierce sit-in demonstration against the BSF and the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) deployed at ICP. Consequently, India-Bangladesh trade is getting affected. The drivers and transporters are annoyed over the BSF checking the driving license of drivers going from India to Bangladesh with export goods and preventing unauthorized local truck drivers and helpers from entering the ICP. There are fierce protests against the steps taken by the BSF under the SOP and law.
Reasons behind the agitation
It is worth mentioning that from the last 16 to 20 January, 2022, BSF took a major action on ICP Petrapole and exposed the truck drivers who have obtained fake driving licenses fraudulently who are likely to be involved in smuggling of various goods under the guise of movement of goods of export and import. During the last three days, the BSF seized fake driving licenses from 90 truck drivers in a surprise check at ICP Petrapole. After which the BSF has banned the import-export trucks from coming to the ICP without checking the authenticity of the driving license.
The drivers and transporters involved in the protest are trying to pressurize the withdrawal of the new rules implemented by BSF and LPAI. In the coming days, they are continuously threatening to intensify the protests and disrupt India-Bangladesh trade. Whereas through this checkpost, maximum trade between India and Bangladesh takes place. Also there is movement of people.
Won’t allow drivers with fake driving licenses to go to Bangladesh at any cost: BSF
BSF South Bengal Frontier official stated that the concerned officials of the Indian Customs Department and the Land Port Authority of India have been informed that the BSF cannot allow trucks whose drivers are found to have fake licenses. The Bangaon Goods Transport Association and the Land Port Authority of India have been informed about this conspiracy and demanded the strictest punishment to the culprits involved in this crime. The official added that it cannot be ignored that big smugglers are provoking these truck drivers and helpers against the BSF. Whereas BSF has already brought this matter in the knowledge of local police as well as Disyrict Authority for takening necessary action as per the law of the land.
