Phulbari, June 23: Tension escalated at the Phulbari border in Siliguri on Monday as several trade and transport associations staged a protest demanding a ban on the direct entry of Bhutanese trucks into Bangladesh. The protest disrupted border operations and several people were arrested.
The protest was organised by four local groups, the Phulbari II Border Local Truck Owners Welfare Association, Phulbari Exporters Association, Phulbari Drivers Association and Phulbari C&F Association. The protesters blocked the border and demanded that Bhutanese trucks should unload the goods at the Phulbari border from where Indian trucks should take them to Bangladesh.
The protesters, including truck owners, drivers and their family members, also went on a hunger strike, which has continued for nearly nine days now. They alleged that Bhutanese trucks have been carrying overloaded gravel and boulders directly to Bangladesh for the past few months, severely affecting the livelihood of Indian transporters dependent on this trade route.
The protest led to a massive jam at the Phulbari border, leaving several trucks stranded. Heavy police force was deployed to control the situation. Despite repeated requests, the protesters refused to disperse, following which the police detained several such as people involved in the protest and took them to the NJP police station. The protesters said they have appealed to the administration and the chief minister several times over the issue, but no action has been taken yet. Following police intervention, Bhutanese trucks resumed movement in the land port.
