Chattogram Port Protection Council has extended its strike at the port, protesting against the process of signing an agreement with DP World for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
Its coordinator, Ibrahim Khokon, announced the programme at a press briefing on Monday afternoon. Under the revised schedule, the strike will continue from 8am on 3 February to 8am the following day.
The council made the announcement on the third consecutive day, while it had been observing an eight-hour strike from 8am to 4pm on 31 January and 1 February.
Addressing reporters, Khokon demanded the immediate removal of and legal action against Chattogram Port Chairman SM Moniruzzaman, Director (Administration) Omar Faruk, BIDA Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, and others allegedly involved in the agreement process with DP World.
He warned that the strike would be intensified further if the transfer orders of officers and employees were not withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) transferred 12 officers on 1 February, citing their involvement in the movement. The officers, from various departments, have been attached to Kamalapur ICD and Pangaon ICT.
The transfers were made through two separate orders signed by CPA Chief Personnel Officer Nasir Uddin, instructing the officers to report to their new workplaces by Monday (2 February).
Earlier, four other officers were ordered transferred on 31 January. Although they were directed to join Pangaon ICT on 2 February, none had reportedly joined as of Monday.
According to the CPA, the 12 newly transferred officials are Abdullah Al Mamun, Khandaker Masuduzzaman, Md Liaqat Ali, Aminur Rasul Bulbul, Md Rabbani, Md Shafi Uddin, Rashidul Islam, Md Zahirul Islam, Humayun Kabir, Shakil Rahman, Manik Mia, and Shamsu Mia.
They previously served in the transport, administration, electrical, mechanical, planning, and sessions departments. In total, 16 officials have been transferred over the past two days. The CPA, however, described the moves as part of routine administrative procedures.
Md Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the council and an audit assistant at the port, alleged that the authority had chosen a path of repression rather than dialogue over the NCT issue. “Transfer orders are coming one after another instead of discussions,” he said.
The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) also brought out a black flag procession towards the port in protest against the proposed agreement with DP World.
When contacted, CPA spokesperson and Director (Administration) Md Omar Faruk did not respond to requests for comment.
A CPA source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Times of Bangladesh that most formalities for the agreement between DP World and the port have been completed. Regular meetings are being held at the PPP Authority office in Dhaka, and negotiations are in their final stages.
The council has been observing strike programmes at Chittagong Port since 31 January.
