Agartala: Dec 11: A long march from Dhaka to Agartala was undertaken today by members of the youth wing, volunteer wing, and student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in protest against the attack on and arrest of Hindu minority and monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh.
The march, consisting of approximately 2,000 vehicles, started from Nayapaltan towards Akhaura at 10 AM (Indian Standard Time) today. Considering the BNP-affiliated organizations’ long march, tight security measures have been deployed at the Akhaura Integrated Checkpoint in Agartala.
Youth wing president Abdul Monayem Munna stated that they had departed for Akhaura in nearly 2,000 vehicles. The long march commenced from in front of the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan around 9:30 AM (Bangladesh Standard Time).
There is a tense atmosphere in the Bangladeshi part of Akhaura surrounding this long march. BNP and its affiliated party members have issued a directive to all shopkeepers in Akhaura to keep their shops closed and participate in the long march. However, the shopkeepers in that area did not heed the directive. As a result, international trade was normal today.
Agartala importer-exporter Bimol Roy stated that international trade remained almost normal despite the long march on the other side. Similarly, the movement of citizens of both countries was also normal. However, after 2 PM, the movement from Bangladesh and international trade will virtually cease. He said that the long march will reach Akhaura between 2 PM and 4 PM. As a result, for security reasons, passenger movement and international trade will be closed as of today before 2 PM.
He informed that 12 trucks of fish, 6 trucks of plastic, and 2 trucks of dried fish were imported from Bangladesh today. However, it was possible to import slightly more goods yesterday compared to today. He stated that on Tuesday, December 10, 3 trucks of cement, 22 trucks of fish, and 2 trucks of plastic were imported from Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements have been deployed at the Akhaura border in Agartala considering the long march. A sufficient number of BSF jawans, police, and TSR jawans have been deployed in the Akhaura border area. Additionally, the Tripura Police has arranged water cannons as an extra security measure. Barricades were set up on the road leading from the Akhaura border to Agartala a few days ago. The number of barricades has been increased today considering the long march.
West District Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar inspected the security arrangements in the Akhaura border area and its surrounding areas today. He stated that a sufficient number of BSF jawans have been deployed at the Akhaura border. Additionally, the police and TSR jawans are ensuring security. He claimed that a meeting will be held at the North East Council in Agartala. Therefore, all these arrangements have been made to ensure additional security.
Meanwhile, residents of the area adjacent to the Akhaura border are waiting for the long march with packets of sweets in their hands. They say that India is famous for its delicious sweets. Therefore, the participants of the long march will be welcomed by offering sweets.
