Smuggled Indian clothes have flooded the markets of ten southwestern districts ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha. According to sources, unscrupulous traders have stockpiled huge smuggled Indian saris and dresses targeting the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims. Depriving the government of huge revenue, clothes smuggling has increased along the border while the vigil along the frontier has been tightened to curb it, the sources added. Despite frequent anti-smuggling drives in the boarding areas, the law enforcement agencies failed to curb smuggling in a broad sense. On August 12, members of Coast Guard (west zone) seized illegal Indian clothes worth Tk 30 million from Khan Jahan Ali toll plaza in Khulna. On August 8, members of 26 BGB Battalion seized Indian clothes worth around Tk 3.2 million from Darshana immigration check post in Chuadanga. On August 6, members of Coast Guard (west zone) seized smuggled Indian clothes worth Tk 41,28,000 from Rupsha Bridge area in Khulna. On August 4, members of 38 BGB Battalion seized Indian clothes worth over Tk 2.7 million from Baliadanga bazaar in Satkhira. Detective police sources said a total of 20-22 people are controlling the smuggling syndicate in Khulna, Jessore, Satkhira, Chuadanga and Benapole. The smugglers bring Indian clothes from the South Medinipur sea area Kakdwip through a river route and from Bonga-Chandpara through land. The smuggled items are then brought to different markets from Bhomra port by trucks and covered vans and by trawlers from Dakope, Batiaghata and Koyra.
