Sylhet’s tourist market rife with Indian products

Jaflong is one of the tourist centers in Sylhet. Due to its proximity to India, all kinds of cosmetics including Indian blankets, chocolates, spices are being freely bought and sold in the markets there.

Just as Indian products are being sold in all the tourist markets including the tourist center Jailong, the presence of law enforcement agencies including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the markets is also noticeable.

But what is such a mystery? There is no operation by law enforcement agencies against the sale of Indian products in tourist spots. And that is why tourists continue to buy products safely and peacefully.

But on the way back to their destination, the law enforcement agencies seize the products as illegal.

Jaflong is one of the tourist areas in Sylhet.

Every day, people come from different parts of the country to enjoy some natural beauty.

As a tourist area, most of the shops in Jaflong market sell Indian products. And so tourists are buying all those products with great enthusiasm.

But when the police seize the products bought by tourists through checkpoints on the way, the question arises whether Indian products are legal in the market and illegal on the way, and the questionable product seizure operation is causing suffering to tourists.

Although various Indian products are sold openly in the markets of border areas, tourists are harassed after purchasing them on the way back to their destinations.

Although local traders sell these products freely, many tourists complain of confiscation or detention of similar products during law enforcement operations on the way.

The victims claim that if the products sold openly in the market are illegal, then why are no measures being taken against the sellers.

But when buyers are harassed on the way after making legal purchases, it is creating confusion and anger among the common people.

According to multiple sources, Indian products are often seized in various border areas of the country and law enforcement is conducting regular operations to prevent the illegal entry of these products.

Tourists complain that even though they purchase products from local shops with receipts, they often face interrogation, product seizure or other complications on the way back.

This not only tarnishes the image of the tourism sector but also has a negative impact on visitors from different places.

Conscious people of this region feel that it is necessary to follow clear policies of the concerned authorities on this matter.

In this case, if the products are allowed to be sold in the market, the harassment of the vendors should be stopped, and if the products are illegal, strict action should be taken against the sales cycle.

Talking to Usman Gani, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Jaintapur Model Police Station, he said that it is a punishable offense to enter, transport or market foreign products in the country without paying the legal customs duty.

Jaintapur Model Police Station is conducting regular operations to prevent the seizure and smuggling of smuggled products illegally coming across the border on the Sylhet-Tamabil Highway.

However, Tapan Talukder, in-charge of Jaflong Tourist Police, said differently, he said that although we are located in the tourist area, we do not have the jurisdiction to seize illegal products.

We basically try to maintain law and order along with the overall security of tourists. It is our responsibility to prevent theft, robbery and provide necessary assistance to tourists.

Meanwhile, while talking to Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ratan Kumar Adhikari, he said that to run a business legally, government policies have to be followed, which the traders of Jaflong tourism area are not following.

For this reason, we conduct raids at different times and take legal action against those involved, including seizing Indian products.