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KHULNA, Mar 9: The train running from Benapole to Khulna is the safe haven for the smugglers of this region. Hundreds of maunds of sugar and salt, saries, warm clothes, drugs and kitchenware are being smuggled regularly on this route.
The Benapole station is the near border area and the port thana. For this reason, smugglers are getting added advantage for smuggling. Besides, the law-enforcing agencies are allegedly cooperating with smugglers.
The 37-kilometre rail line from Jessore to Benapole was put into operation in November 1999 after long 25 years. Smugglers became active after two to three months of the train movement. Smugglers are controlling the train in connivance with some dishonest guards, drivers, GRP police and thana police.
About 250 to 300 smugglers ply without tickets, a source said. The train starts at 7:30 a.m. from Khulna and reaches at Benapole at 10.30 am though it is scheduled to reach there at 9:45 am. The train halts at Navaron, Jhikorgacha, Jessore and Nowapara.
It has become the haven of smugglers and most of the smugglers are women moving without tickets. Their behaviour is very nasty. They very often use ugly words and create an abnormal situation causing troubles to regular passenger.
Smugglers come to the Navron station to sell Indian salt, sugar, phensidyl and other Indian goods there. Smugglers wait at Navaron station for Khulna-bound commuter train which stops at Kagogpukur where smugglers get down from the train with their goods.
It is alleged that the port thana and Sharsha thana police earn about Tk 10/15 thousand daily. On the other hand, railway income is declining day by day.
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