Historic Silence at Indo-Bangla Border as Bangladesh Votes
The Petrapole-Benapole land border, a vital corridor that typically pulses with the constant movement of buses, trucks, and travelers, presented an unfamiliar and deserted scene on Thursday morning. This profound stillness marked the day of Bangladesh's landmark general election, a pivotal event poised to redefine the nation's political trajectory following months of upheaval after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
A Corridor Frozen in Time
To ensure the election proceeded smoothly, Bangladeshi authorities suspended all movement of passport-holding travelers across the border from 6 am Thursday until 6 am Friday. While the official order took effect in the morning, sources indicated the gates were sealed as early as Wednesday night. The result was a complete standstill.
Shuttered shops lined the approach roads. Forex counters, photocopy centers, eateries, and stationery stores remained locked. Even stray dogs appeared disoriented, wandering across the unusually empty stretches. On the Indian side, empty passenger buses stood stranded with cold engines, while trucks laden with goods formed long, silent queues, their drivers facing an uncertain wait.
An Unprecedented Halt in a Storied History
This route, operational since 1947, has endured wars, political crises, and numerous elections. However, local residents and officials confirmed that never before has a general election triggered a total cessation of passenger movement. "No election since 1972 ever led to a complete shutdown like this," a source emphasized. Border Security Force (BSF) officials stated that only emergency medical cases were permitted passage on Thursday.
The disruption was immediate for travelers. Rony Halder, driver of an Agartala–Dhaka bus via Kolkata, described a fractured journey. "We started from Agartala on Wednesday. Delays en route meant we reached Petrapole only to find the border closed," he said. "Passengers had to disembark, cross on foot, and arrange separate transport from the Benapole side." At least six such buses were found parked near the border, emblematic of the wider paralysis.
Economic Ripples and Community Anxiety
The economic impact was swift and severe, evoking memories of the COVID-19 lockdowns for local businesses. "It feels like the Covid days," said Sisir Kumar Das, who runs a stationery shop near the border. "Business has been down since the fall of the Hasina government, but we never witnessed a situation like this. We just hope things improve next week when a new government takes charge in Bangladesh."
A tour operator and forex counter owner, Tapan Sarkar, echoed the sentiment of anxiety. "There was little business since the start of the week. Today, I only came to offer puja to the goddess in my office. I prayed for a stable government in Bangladesh," he shared. Restaurant owner Swapan Kumar Ghosh clarified there was no official order to close shops, but with the border sealed and no customers, keeping open was pointless.
Heightened Security Amidst the Calm
While commercial activity halted, security presence was visibly intensified. Authorities increased surveillance and patrolling along both fenced and unfenced stretches from Bagda to Bongaon and Swarupnagar. Residents of enclaves and exclaves were advised to remain indoors, and armed personnel maintained a vigilant watch over both land and riverine border points, ensuring the election day passed without incident on this normally bustling frontier.
