Amritsar April 24:
Trading activities at India's first Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari international border with Pakistan was affected after almost 3,000 porters went on strike, demanding higher wages. However, export and import of goods handled mechanically remained largely unaffected.
The porters have been on strike since late Monday evening. The strike only added to the woes of truck drivers of India and Pakistan. Mohammad Ramzan, a truck driver from Pakistan, said he arrived in India on early Tuesday morning but was told that goods could not be off loaded because of the strike.
Assistant commissioner, land customs station, Attari, Amanjit Singh said trading of items including glass, gypsum remained unaffected since all these items were mechanically handled. However, import and export of items like dry dates, onions and sugar among others was affected, he added. According to sources, porters' contractors charge Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,700 handling charges per truck meant for export and import respectively despite the fact that some goods are handled mechanically and porters have no role to play.