Traders in Assam’s Sribhumi district have decided to suspend all import and export activities with Bangladesh due to escalating violence against religious minorities and recent disrespect towards India’s national flag. Over 500 traders gathered on Monday at a local river port, where they burned Bangladeshi goods that had been previously imported as a protest.

Amaresh Roy, spokesperson for the Karimganj District Export-Import Coordination Committee, condemned the attacks on Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh and criticized the disrespect shown towards the Indian Tricolor. He stated, “We cannot continue business with a country that insults our national flag and targets minorities.”

Sribhumi, a vital trade hub in northeastern India, exports coal, rice, ginger, and fruits to Bangladesh while importing goods such as wooden furniture, plastics, and food items. Although trade had been temporarily suspended in August due to violence in Bangladesh, it resumed in October. However, tensions have risen again after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das from Iskcon and ongoing protests in Assam’s Barak Valley.

Local MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha has backed the traders’ decision, urging the government to suspend trade through the Sutarkandi Border and Sribhumi Steamerghat until peace is restored in Bangladesh.

Sribhumi District Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi clarified that the government has not issued an official order to halt trade. He emphasized that the suspension of trade is a decision made by individual traders, and the government will only intervene if official directives are issued.