SHILLONG, Nov 10 ? BSF authorities have denied its involvement in the stopping of Indo-Bangla border trade through Meghalaya?s Dawki Land Custom Station (LCS) since Friday last. ?We don?t play any role in the trade. Our only business is security,? IG of BSF?s Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland frontier, SC Srivastava, said.
A statement issued by the Customs? office here yesterday said ?the frequent interference by the BSF in the export process has created resentment among the exporters and a lot of problems for the Indian Customs. Since the exporters are powerless against the might of BSF, they poured all their anger on the Customs?.
Border trade between India and Bangladesh was suspended following the resentment since Friday last. Srivastava said a period from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday was provided to facilitate movement of trucks laden with coal for export. Everybody should adhere to it.
But ?it is not acceptable to us to allow movement of trucks after the scheduled time even after a half-an-hour relaxation?, Srivastava said seeking to clarify Customs? charge that on November 2, 17 trucks could not return to India (after unloading coal in Bangladesh), as the BSF had closed the gate at 5.30 p.m.