Nineteen Indian truck drivers stranded at Benapole port terminal for the past one and half month. They want to return home.
They don't want help; they just want to return to their country. It is alleged that the Indian authorities are not taking them back. As a result, the truck drivers and their helper are living a inhuman life.
Importers and local C&F agent traders in Bangladesh said the Indian drivers and helpers are stranded at Benapole port terminal due to the coronavirus disaster.
Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agent Staff Association, alleged that the matter was reported to the Indian authorities but they did not take necessary action.
According to the Benapole Land Port Authority, the truck drivers brought various types of goods including industrial raw materials to Bangladesh through Benapole Land Port on March 20, the day before the lockdown was announced in India.
India has not repatriated them since the goods were unloaded at Benapole port. "We are stranding in Bangladesh to carrying goods," said Sitaram, a truck driver from Uttar Pradesh, India.
India's Petrapole land port authority denied to taking us. I can't communicate with my family members. No money in my pocket long time. I am sleeping in the car without eating he aded.
People from Benapole Port, Customs and C&F agents occasionally provided some food aid. Life does not go on. They don't want food aid, they want to return to the country.
Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary Staff Welfare Association, of C&F agent at the Petrapole land port in India, said the coronavirus was panicking and blocking the entry of drivers, including trucks, without permission from higher authorities.
We are also trying to get permisson from the authorities. Indian drivers will come to India from Bangladesh with trucks as soon as they get permission he added.
Mamun Kabir Tarafdar, Deputy Director, Benapole Land Port Authority, said, "In the current situation, trucks and drivers have been kept inside the land port terminal.
Ports, customs and C&F agents are constantly providing food assistance to the drivers. Sometimes the driver and the helpers are cooking and eating by themselves in the port terminal.
He also said that he has contacted the higher authorities to resolve the issue quickly. Drivers and trucks will be returned at any time if allowed.
