Benapole 'unaffected' by strike

The Benapole land port has remained seemingly unaffected by a general strike being enforced by Islamist groups demanding Abdul Latif Siddique's arrest for anti-Hajj remarks.

However, no goods-laden truck left the port since Sunday morning because of security concerns, officials said.

Customs official Khairul Kabir said the strike had not affected port activities.

File Photo

Thursday was a public holiday in India for Deepabali and Kali Puja and the two following days were holidays in Bangladesh.

"Works resumed at full force from Sunday despite a shutdown," Kabir said.

Port's Deputy Director (Traffic) Abdul Jalil said no goods-truck left the port for security reasons.

Meanwhile, the number of people crossing the border was fewer than usual, Checkpost Immigration Police OC Akhter Hossain said.

Benapole police OC Apurba Hasan said no untoward incident had been reported so far.

Security around the port and parts of Sharsha Upazila has been beefed up.