The New Nation - Internet Edition

Saila Perveen from Jessore

Smuggled Indian goods have rained all the markets in the district of Jessore for which the producers of the local products are facing setback both in sale and profits. The smuggle goods include plastic articles, agro-products, by-cycles, their parts, utensils, crockery, pesticides, drugs, machinery parts, accessories, cosmetics, fish and fruits.

It is learnt that the Indian saris and medicine are being sold in different markets and shopping centres in Jessore town, and upazila markets, threatening flourishment of local mills, weaving factories and pharmaceutical laboratories. The large-scale smuggling of Indian goods has been going on unabated for a long time but there is not sufficient steps from the government against it.

Te borders of Sadhipur, Shikarpur, Goga, Boroachra, Chhotoachra and Rudhrapur under Sharsha upazila, Chhutipur under Jhikargaccha upazila, and Mashila, Samanta and municipality under Chowgaccha upazila are some of the prime points of smuggling. The evil persons use these borders in doing their immoral works round the clock.

A piece of Indian sari made of cotton is sold at taka 150 to 250 in contrast sale of Bangladeshi sari for taka 250 to 300 only. The purchasers do not bother for quality but for price. As a result, the sale of Indian saris is much more than that of Bangladeshi sari. The fall of sale of Bangladeshi cloths might affect the future of the local mills, economists apprehended.

Sources said that a large number of women are engaged in selling smuggled goods in exchange of livelihood. Many educated youths failing to find jobs gradually fall into the traps of the smugglers. There is report of using child labour in this kind of heinous job.