Chattogram Bondar Rokkha Committee has announced a fresh programme to intensify its movement against the proposed leasing of New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) to foreign operators.
The committee will lay siege to the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) chairman’s office and submit a memorandum on 13 October at 11am, demanding the cancellation of the leasing process.
The announcement was made during a two-hour sit-in organised by the committee in front of the main gate of the Chattogram Port building on Monday.
The committee also announced a torchlight procession in the city on 7 October. Additionally, an extensive campaign will launch across the port, dock, clearing and forwarding (C&F) agencies, and other related sectors from Tuesday to mobilise support for its movement.
Announcing the decisions at the sit-in, Tapan Dutta, president of TUC Chattogram District Committee and a leader of the Bondar Rokkha Committee, said Chattogram Port is the lifeline of the country’s economy and that handing it over to any foreign or private entity would not be accepted.
He said the committee would continue its movement to protect the port and safeguard the interests of the country and its workers.
Committee leaders claimed that experienced workers and officials who have been involved in operating the port for years understand its operations and challenges better than outside entities, noting that their contributions have helped keep the port operational and profitable over the years.
Speakers also alleged that a vested-interest group was attempting to influence the government by providing misleading information in favour of appointing foreign operators to manage port terminals. No statement from the parties allegedly involved could be obtained regarding the claim.
The protesters called on the government to give priority to national interests, the employment of port workers, and the interests of port users when making decisions concerning the country’s principal seaport.
They urged the government to reconsider the process of leasing the NCT and CCT and refrain from handing over terminal operations to foreign entities.
Meanwhile, Monday’s sit-in caused temporary traffic congestion on the road in front of the port building as the number of participants increased, resulting in inconvenience to passengers and motorists. A scuffle also reportedly took place between protesters and some motorcyclists during the programme.
Organisers said they shortened the scheduled sit-in considering the inconvenience caused to the public and the overall situation but warned that the movement would be intensified depending on the government’s response to their demands.
Leaders of several labour organisations attended the programme, including Tapan Dutta; Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, general secretary of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sromik dal Chattogram Divisional Committee; Iftekhar Kamal Khan, joint secretary of TUC Chattogram District Committee; and Taslim Hossain Selim, general secretary of Nationalist Dock Workers’ Party.
Fazlul Kabir Mintu, member secretary of Bondar Rokkha Committee, moderated the programme.
