Ctg road march: Leftist parties to announce tougher protests against foreign lease of NCT
A nationwide movement will be launched to resist any attempt to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to foreign companies, said protesters as part of the Dhaka-Chattogram road march.
Organised by the Anti-Imperialist Patriotic People's platform, the two-day road march was held on 27–28 June.
In a gathering at 5:00pm on Saturday in front of the Chattogram Port building, protesters demanded the cancellation of plans to lease the NCT to foreign companies, establishment of any humanitarian corridor, foreign arms factories in Bangladesh, and the agreement with Starlink.
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Presiding over the rally was CPB Chattogram district president Ashok Saha, the rally was conducted by Al Qaderi Joy, Chattogram district in-charge of Socialist Party of Bangladesh.
Speakers criticised the interim government's stance on the humanitarian corridor and foreign involvement in port operations as "vague and concerning".
They accused the government of exceeding its mandate, warning that unless these "anti-national activities" stop, a tougher nationwide campaign will be launched.
They emphasised that the interim government's primary duties were to ensure the trial of the July 2024 killings, initiate democratic reforms, and organise elections.
Rather, they alleged that the government was making decisions, like leasing out strategic infrastructure, without consulting political stakeholders.
Leaders argued that Chattogram Port handles 92% of the country's trade and is too critical a strategic asset to be handed over to foreign entities.
They warned that comparing Bangladesh's lone major seaport with multi-port countries, without considering long-term military and economic security, was short-sighted and dangerous.
Among the central speakers at the rally were: CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, Socialist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Revolutionary Communist League general secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid, Anti-Fascist Left Front Coordinator Nasir Uddin Ahmed Nasu, Bangladesh Communist Movement Convener Shuvrangshu Chakraborty, Democratic Revolutionary Party General Secretary Mosherefa Mishu, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) Central Coordinator Masud Rana, General Secretary Harunar Rashid Bhuiyan, National Democratic People's Forum Coordinator Masud Khan, JSD Standing Committee Member Dr. Mushtaq Hossain, National People's Front Acting Coordinator Rajat Huda, Bangladesh Socialist Party Executive Abdul Ali, SPB General Secretary Shahidul Islam.
