Dhaka, Feb. 11 -- Passenger movement through the Benapole International Checkpost has been suspended for 24 hours in view of the parliamentary polls.

Passport-holding travellers will not be allowed to cross the Benapole-Petrapole border from 6am on Thursday until 6am on Friday, Benapole Immigration Police chief M Shakhawat Hossain said.

Records show this route has served passengers since 1947, and no election since 1972 has ever led to a complete travel shutdown.

The interim government says it has taken this unprecedented step to ensure the general election is conducted "smoothly".

Officer Shakhawat said a notification has been issued by the government in this regard.

Cross-border passenger movement between Bangladesh and India will ...