The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has urged relevant offices and agencies to enforce restrictions on overseas travel and initiate investigations into the assets of 15 employees suspected of causing disruptions and participating in anti-state activities during recent protests at the port.
Among the implicated employees are two coordinators from the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad — Md Humayun Kabir, an audit assistant in the Internal Audit and Inspection Department, and Md Ibrahim Khokon, a first-class engine driver in the Marine Department. These individuals, along with others, were relocated multiple times within the past week to port facilities in Dhaka, Mongla, and Payra.
In a confidential communication issued on Thursday evening and signed by CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim, the authority disclosed that the employees were transferred to Mongla and Payra ports on February 2 as part of disciplinary measures for allegedly inciting disorder and disrupting port operations under the guise of movements.
The CPA highlighted that ongoing investigations are in progress and requested that the concerned authorities prevent the employees from leaving the country. Additionally, the authority urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct asset inquiries and enforce appropriate measures based on the findings.
The letter was addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, with copies forwarded to the shipping adviser’s office, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the director general of the National Intelligence Agency.
Efforts to reach the CPA secretary for comments were unsuccessful, as there was no response to calls or text messages.
The remaining employees mentioned in the letter include Md Faridur Rahman, Mohammad Shafi Uddin, Rashidul Islam, Abdullah Al Mamun, Md Jahirul Islam, Khandaker Masuduzzaman, Md Shakil Raihan, Manik Mizhi, Md Shamsu Mia, Md Liaquat Ali, Aminur Rasul Bulbul, and Md Rabbani. They hold positions across various CPA departments, such as traffic, marine, engineering, mechanical, planning, and administration.
Following a meeting with Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain, two leaders of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad — Md Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon — announced the temporary suspension of their work abstention until Saturday.
Ibrahim Khokon informed The Daily Star that he was aware of the letter and mentioned that the Parishad leaders would convene a meeting the following morning to address the situation.
Later on Thursday at 11:29 pm, Khokon posted on his Facebook profile, expressing disappointment over the CPA’s letter and emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding in resolving issues. He also condemned the authority’s actions and encouraged port employees not to be deterred, urging them to prepare for the forthcoming phase of the movement.
