The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has transferred four officials to the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Keraniganj, Dhaka, following their leadership in a strike protesting the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the Dubai-based firm DP World.
An office order signed by CPA Chief Personnel Officer Nasir Uddin on 31 January stated that the transfers were made for “urgent official and operational purposes.”
The officials were instructed to be released from their current posts at noon on 31 January and to join their new assignments at Pangaon ICT on the morning of 1 February.
The transferred personnel include Md Humayun Kabir, audit assistant of the Internal Audit and Inspection Department and convener of the Port Protection Sangram Parishad; Md Ibrahim Khokon, engine driver of the Shipping Department and member secretary of the same platform; Md Anwarul Azim, high accounts assistant of the Finance and Accounts Department; and Md Faridur Rahman, SS Khalasi of the Engineering Department.
Md Humayun Kabir, who is also a former publicity and publication secretary of the CBA, told The Times of Bangladesh that the group does not accept the transfer and intends to discuss the matter with the authorities on Sunday.
While the officials view the order as a punitive measure, Nasir Uddin denied any punitive intent, categorising the move as a routine administrative decision.
Revenue loss assessment, investigation
In a separate administrative action, the CPA has formed a probe committee to determine the extent of government revenue loss caused by the work stoppage and to identify those responsible.
The decision was announced in an office order issued on Saturday evening by CPA Director (Administration) Mohammad Omar Faruk.
The committee is assigned to assess financial losses, prepare a list of individuals liable for the disruption, and recommend measures to recover the losses from them.
It is headed by the CPA Member (Engineering) as convener and includes Mohammad Tafsir Uddin Bhuiyan, Additional Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House; Lt Commander Ashik Mahmud, CPA Senior Chasing Master; Major Md Anis-uz-Zaman, Deputy Director (Security and Operations); and the CPA Chief Personnel Officer.
Deputy Terminal Manager Hasina Arju has been appointed as the member secretary, and the panel has been instructed to submit its report to the CPA Chairman within five working days.
Strike Context and Previous Warnings Port operations remained suspended from 8am to 4pm on Saturday due to the strike called by the Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal and the Port Protection Sangram Parishad.
These disruptions occurred despite a CPA notice issued on 29 January directing disciplinary action against employees involved in the protest, alongside warnings of legal action against those staging demonstrations in port areas.
The two-day strike programme is scheduled to continue on Sunday.
