Assam: Barak Valley MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha led a dramatic protest on Monday, burning Bangladeshi goods at Bisharjan Ghat on Kali Bari Road to oppose ongoing trade activities with Bangladesh.
The protest was sparked by allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh and demands for the release of Ickon’s Saint Chinmoy Prabhu.
Purkayastha, visibly frustrated with the continued import-export activities, personally blocked the trade route and set fire to Bangladeshi goods in a symbolic act of defiance. “India is a self-reliant country, and we do not need goods from Bangladesh,” he asserted, emphasizing his call for a complete halt to economic ties.
The protest reflects mounting tensions in Barak Valley, where calls for boycotting trade with Bangladesh have intensified. On Sunday, the Sri Bhumi District Import-Export Association announced plans to suspend trade but failed to enforce the move, as goods continued to cross at Bisharjan Ghat. Purkayastha’s protest was seen as a direct challenge to these ongoing exchanges.
The incident highlights growing unrest in the region, where demands for justice and concerns over human rights in Bangladesh have fueled local resistance to cross-border trade. Many community leaders and groups in the valley are urging a reevaluation of economic ties, linking trade to broader political and social issues.
Observers warn that the protest could galvanize further opposition and draw national attention to the grievances of Barak Valley residents, potentially impacting Indo-Bangladeshi trade relations.
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