By Firstdespatch Desk May 25, 2025
Agartala, May 25 (FD) Tripura’s cross-border trade has come to a standstill as the state’s Border Haats — localized markets along the India-Bangladesh border — remain closed amid ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh. These markets, established to promote trade and people-to-people connections, have been non-functional since mid-2023, dealing a significant blow to small traders and local economies.
Initially closed during the COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020, the two haats in Tripura — at Srinagar-Chhagalnaiya in South Tripura and Kamlasagar-Kasba in Sepahijala — briefly reopened in 2022. However, rising political violence and the eventual collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August 2024 once again forced their closure.
A senior official from Tripura’s Industries and Commerce Department confirmed that inter-governmental efforts were made in 2023 to resume operations, but the deteriorating political landscape in Bangladesh derailed all progress. Each market used to host 25–30 vendors from both nations, many of them women, who traded in spices, textiles, handicrafts, and essential goods.
“These haats weren’t just about business. They built trust and brought communities together,” said a local vendor from Kamalasagar.
Tripura, which shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh, has seen multiple proposals for new Border Haats under bilateral agreements. While 10 new haats — including four in Tripura — were approved before the crisis, implementation has since stalled.
Elsewhere, Border Haats in Meghalaya have faced similar closures, reflecting broader instability along the border. With increasing concerns over smuggling and insurgent activity, the haats are seen not just as economic engines but also as tools for soft diplomacy and regional stability.
Officials now await direction from New Delhi and Dhaka. Until then, Tripura’s once-vibrant border trade remains at a standstill, caught in the crossfire of political uncertainty.