India suspends trade through Benapole for West Bengal elections

Import-export activities between Bangladesh and India through the Benapole land port will remain suspended for three consecutive days from 6pm on April 26 due to the assembly elections in West Bengal, India.

However, despite the halt in trade operations, passport holders will be allowed to travel for emergency medical purposes, and voters from West Bengal will be permitted to enter India from Bangladesh to cast their ballots.

Moreover, perishable goods will also remain outside the purview of this restriction.

The information was disclosed in a letter issued on April 24, signed by Shilpa Gaurisaria, district magistrate and district election officer of North 24 Parganas, India, while Md Shamim Hossain, Benapole Port director, confirmed the matter today.

According to the letter, voting will take place on April 29 in 33 assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas.

To ensure a smooth election process, the movement of people and vehicles will remain restricted until 6am on April 30 under Section 163 of the Indian Citizen Security Code-2023.

As a result, all international land borders and entry-exit points in the district will remain closed.

During this period, passenger movement through international check posts will be limited, and normal import-export activities are expected to resume from Thursday morning, said Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association.

Although passenger movement is restricted, Indian voters currently in Bangladesh will be able to return home to vote, said Shakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police.

Normal movement of all passport holders will resume after 7am on April 30.

Assistant Commissioner of Benapole Customs, Rahat Hossain, said that although trade activities will be halted, internal operations at the customs house and port will continue as usual. If any perishable goods arrive from India, arrangements will be made for their swift clearance.