The situation further deteriorated as customs officials could not work due to interference by five trade organisations.

When contacted over telephone, Clearing and Forwarding (C & F) Agents Association executive Mohsin Milon said the leaders of C&F Agents Association, Import and Export Association, Transport Owners Association, C&F Employees Union and Land Port Handling Workers Union are firm not to call off the strike unless the increased godown and equipment charges are withdrawn.

The government incurs a loss of Tk 4 crore to Tk 5 crore if imports and exports remain suspended for a single day, C&F Agents Association sources said.

The five trade unions enforced the indefinite strike on January 1 protesting the increase of godown tariff by five times at one go.

UNB adds from Benapole: Five striking associations in a meeting this afternoon threatened to go for tougher action if the previous tarrif rates are not restored.

Speakers at the meeting presided over by Nazimuddin said they were not opposed to a tolerable increase in godown tariff. They also demanded development of infrastructure in the port for quick loading and unloading and stopping pilferage of goods from godowns and sheds.

Meanwhile, export and import through the Satkhira Bhomra land port also remained closed since Thursday following a conflict between the traders and the BSF at Ghozadanga port on the Indian side.