All 9 land customs stations in Sylhet silent for 4th day

Sylhet region remained suspended for the 4th day yesterday due to strike by Indian customs officials following abduction of two officials of Bholaganj customs station.

They were kidnapped allegedly by an insurgent group from Meghalaya last week.

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Indian customs officials had been protesting harassment by insurgent groups in Meghalaya and Assam states for long, sources added.

About 15,000 labourers in Tamabil, Sheola, Sutarkandi,

Barchhara, Bholaganj, Jakiganj, Juri, Ichhamoti and Chela customs station in Sylhet are now without any work, sources said.

Usually, about 1500 tons of coal are imported through Tamabil customs station alone, where about 3000 labourers work.

Kolondar Ali, general secretary of Coal Importers Group, Sylhet, said if the situation continues importers will fail to fulfil contracts and incur losses.

He urged Bangladeshi authorities to hold talks with their Indian counterparts to resolve the crisis.

Customs officials here said they have urged officials in Dhaka to contact Indian officials to resolved the crisis. The government is incurring loss of a huge revenue as all export-import activities are stopped.