250 visitors leave for Bangladesh on 6 buses

KOLKATA: Six buses, ferrying close to 250 Bangadeshi visitors, left Kolkata on Tuesday, making it the highest number of departures since last Thursday, when news of protests in Bangladesh started coming in.

“Many tourists left by air, too, on Tuesday after the govt in Bangladesh announced a relaxation in curfew for a few hours during the day there. It will help these people get transport till their home from the airport,” said Nazim Ahmed of Golden Apple Hotel on Tottie Lane near Sudder Street. Eight Bangaldeshi guests checked out of the hotel on Tuesday.

Several Bangaldeshi tourists, who had come to Kolkata for various reasons, mainly treatment at hospitals here, had been stranded indefinitely as violence broke out in Bangladesh. No bus left for Bangladesh on Thursday and Friday last week from Free School Street, pointed out tour operators from Marquis Street and Free School Street, often referred to as ‘mini-Bangladesh’. On Saturday, a couple of buses did leave for Dhaka but with very few passengers as travel agencies had announced that the buses would not go beyond Benapole due to the curfew there and passengers would have to make their own transport arrangements from the border.

Ujjal Bhunyia boarded a Dhaka-bound bus at 11 am on Tuesday. “I can’t extend my stay in Kolkata as my family is worried and I am running out of money. Those who arrived from Dhaka on Monday said the govt announced the easing of curfew for a few hours during the day. So, the bus might take us all the way to Dhaka,” said Bhuniya, who came to Kolkata to buy saris for his shop in Dhaka.

Mohammad Suman Hussain, who had been in Kolkata since July 14, had to extend his stay twice before he could finally leave on Tuesday. “Dua korben sahi salamt basha puouchhe jai (Pray that I reach home safe),” said Suman to his local friends before boarding the bus.

Hotel owners said tourists stuck here now planned to leave in the next few days. Many families who are here for treatment have decided to wait and watch. “I am travelling with my mother, wife and two daughters. Some of the people who left on Tuesday will let us know whether the buses are being allowed up to Dhaka or not. Only then will I plan my return. I don’t want to be stranded at the border with my family,” said Abu Rahat, a resident of Dhan Mandi in Dhaka.


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