Shillong, Apr 02: Bilateral trade in ten land customs stations on the India-Bangladesh border in the northeastern region would remain suspended pending review of the security situation, though 15 others would be operational, official sources said today. Officials of the Commissionerate of Central customs in northeastern region quoting an order issued yesterday said the suspension would be effective in one LCS in Mizoram, four in Tripura, two in Meghalaya and three in Assam. The order, the officials said would not affect trade on the India-Bhutan and India-Myanmar borders, the sources said. The order came in the wake of the February 28 kidnapping of customs inspector Deepak Mahanta and six coal exporters by suspected militants from Meghalaya's Ghasuapara LCS. Mahanta and three coal exporters were released by the extremists on March 30.

According to the order, border trade would remain suspended in Mizoram's Demagiri, Tripura's Dholaighat, Khowaighat, Manu and Mohorighat, Meghalaya's Ghasuapara and Rinku and Assam's Golakganj, Mankachhar and Mahisashan land customs stations.

Commissioner of customs in the region, D D Ingty, yesterday said the threat perception and security situation of the LCS were being reviewed.

Bureau Report