Workers and personnel at Chattogram Port have initiated an eight-hour work stoppage for the second consecutive day in protest against the intended transfer of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign company DP World. This morning, all loading and unloading operations of cargo and containers at the port’s various terminals were brought to a standstill from 8:00 am as a result of the abstention, according to port officials.
Simultaneously, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has enforced a ban on all types of gatherings, assemblies, demonstrations, and human chains in the vicinity of Chattogram Port for a 30-day period starting today (February 1). CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz issued a public announcement regarding this matter yesterday evening.
Operators of berths at the port’s oldest terminal, the General Cargo Berth (GCB), reported that loading and unloading activities on four vessels, including a container vessel, at the GCB jetties were completely halted due to the participation of workers and staff in the work stoppage. Humayun Kabir, a coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Oikya Parishad, mentioned that operations at all terminals, namely GCB, CCT, and NCT, were suspended.
The ban, implemented under Sections 29 and 30 of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1978, encompasses several crucial locations surrounding the port, such as Barek Building intersection, Nimtola intersection, Jetty Gate No. 3, Customs intersection, Saltgola Crossing, and all adjacent port areas. The notice highlighted that daily, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 cargo vehicles navigate through the port areas to transport vital goods, industrial materials, and other import-export commodities. The organization of processions, rallies, human chains, and street meetings in the port region leads to significant traffic disruptions, impeding the import-export activities, which is deemed detrimental to the national economy and poses security risks, as per the notice.
However, the notice clarified that rallies and processions conducted by various candidates and political parties as part of their election campaigns are exempted from the ban. It is noteworthy that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to participate in a large election rally at the Chattogram Port Authority School and College ground tomorrow evening.
