Manu LCS trade disruption in Tripura; exporters demand swift action to resume operations

Trade activities at the Manu Land Customs Station (LCS) in Tripura have come to a standstill, sparking urgent calls for intervention from exporters and local associations. Since November 27, the port has remained closed due to local protests triggered by an incident involving Chinmay Krishna Das, a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in Bangladesh. The protestors erected bamboo barricades at the LCS, halting the flow of goods and significantly impacting trade. The Exporter and Importer Association of Kailashahar Sub-division in Unakoti District has written to Tripura’s Chief Secretary, JK Sinha, requesting immediate intervention to resolve the crisis. They have expressed concern over the lack of official administrative action to address the situation, questioning the legality of the ongoing disruptions. According to the association’s letter, no official closure order from either the state or central government has been issued, which has made the current halt legally ambiguous.

The letter highlights the stark contrast between the situation at the Manu LCS and the swift resolution of similar disruptions at the Akhaura LCS in Agartala, where local obstructions were promptly cleared, allowing trade to resume without significant delay. In stark contrast, operations at Kailashahar border have remained suspended for over a week, leading to a mounting sense of frustration among traders. The suspension of trade has severely impacted the livelihoods of over 100 families who rely on the port for employment. Laborers, vehicle operators, and loaders have been left without work, and the disruption is estimated to have caused a loss of around Rs 25 lakh in revenue.

The association’s letter to the Chief Secretary emphasized the need for prompt action to remove the barricades and restore trade operations, stressing the importance of equitable treatment for all border trade ports in Tripura. They have urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on the trade route.