Traders block boulder trade at Indo-B'desh border, fear losses

Protesters demand equal trade rights, citing loss of livelihood due to preference for Bhutanese boulders by Bangladeshi importers, which are of better quality and enjoy tax benefits

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Trade at the Fulbari Land Port near Siliguri was disrupted today as local exporters and transport associations backed by the Trinamul Congress blocked the movement of Bhutanese trucks carrying boulders to Bangladesh.

Four associations involved in the boulder export trade began a hunger strike several days ago, protesting the lack of support from authorities for Indian exporters. With their concerns ignored, the protesters escalated their agitation by blocking a key section of the Asian Highway 2, which connects Fulbari Land Port in India with Banglabandha Land Port in Bangladesh.