Police obstructed a protest march organised by the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) in Chattogram on Wednesday as workers demonstrated against the government’s decision to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to a foreign operator.
Following a rally at Agrabad intersection, the protesters began marching toward the port but were stopped by police, leading to a brief exchange of words between the two sides.
Inspector Sirajul Islam of Bandar Police Station said demonstrations and rallies are restricted within the port area. “We asked the protesters to stop, and they later concluded their programme on the spot,” he said.
Photo: Mohammad Zayed/
At the rally, labour leaders alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched around Chattogram Port to hand over a profitable and strategically vital national asset to foreign control.
They said local workers have the experience and capacity to operate the terminal efficiently and leasing it to foreign companies would harm national interests rather than benefit them.
Protesters further warned that foreign control over ports could pose a serious threat to national security. The leaders urged the government to withdraw the leasing decision immediately and warned of a larger movement if the decision is not reversed.
From the rally, the organisers also announced a hunger strike to be held in front of Chattogram Press Club on 1 November.
