Due to lack of scanners at Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat, goods worth crores of rupees are illegally entering Bangladesh in vehicles of imported goods. This land and customs station is in multifaceted crisis.
It has been seen on the ground that Indian trucks are entering Bangladesh with goods. Trucks are being released only after document verification. Indian trucks are seen carrying various goods including stone but inside they are transporting different goods. In this, a class of businessmen are becoming millionaires by evading government duties.
According to related sources, stones are imported at a higher rate from India and Bhutan through land ports. Every day about 400-600 vehicles import and export stone and other products. As per the Letter of Credit (LC) the goods brought in these vehicles are verified for correctness. Due to the lack of scanners at this important customs station, unscrupulous traders are bringing Indian sarees, three-pieces, cosmetics, jewellery, medical supplies inside the cars of imported goods.
On March 12, M/s Noor Enterprises of Dhaka placed an order to import 18 metric tons of China Clay Powder from Abhic & Sons, an exporting company in Kolkata, India. The goods were brought to Burimari on May 6 through the Changrabandha land port in India. After verifying the goods, the customs authority informs the representative of the importer. After not receiving the product for a long time, the importing company filed a case in Patgram Police Station and Tongi Police Station in Gazipur. In this, a team of Gazipur DB police arrested Tuhinuzzaman Babu and Manowar Hossain of Burimari Union, accused in the case. Clay powder was recovered from a house in Barakhata Union of Hatibandha Upazila after 20 days.
At this time, 10 cartons of City Gold jewellery, injection syringes, cannular cartons and other products were found in the recovered powder. The price of these products is around Rs. Similarly, on March 27, 2023 and on February 17 this year, goods worth several crores of rupees were brought illegally in stone-laden trucks.
Many importers and exporters, unwilling to reveal their names, claimed that a Kuchkrimahal Burimari land port in India-Bangladesh is trying to create a crisis by making various conspiracies to retaliate traders. Hundreds of importers and exporters are worried.
A trader, who did not disclose his name, said that illegal goods from India would enter Bangladesh in stone, wheat and corn products at Burimari land port. Due to this some C&F businessmen of Burimari land port became millionaires overnight.
Chayeduzzaman Syed, President of Burimari Landport C&F Agent Association, said that in the name of importing a cycle stone, they are bringing many products including sarees and thrips, perfume chemicals, cosmetics, medical supplies from India. Customs authorities should take action against them.
In this regard, Assistant Commissioner of Burimari Customs Station (Customs) Nazmul Hasan said that everyone in charge of customs checks the goods import and export vehicles in several steps. If a vehicle is suspected, it is seen empty. If any goods are brought illegally and caught, legal action is taken by canceling the license under the Customs Act.
Rabiul Hasan/RH/JIM
