Leftist parties announce Dhaka-Ctg road march on 27–28 June to protest port lease, humanitarian corridor plan
After roadside meetings in Cumilla, Feni and Mirsarai, the procession will enter Chattogram on Saturday (28 June), starting a procession at 3pm from Barik Building intersection and concluding with a rally at 5 pm in front of the Chattogram Port Authority building
The Left Democratic Alliance and the Anti-Fascist Left Bloc have announced a two-day Dhaka–Chattogram road march on 27–28 June to protest the plans to lease Chattogram Port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and the geopolitical risks of establishing a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
At a press conference in the Cheragi Pahar area of Chattogram city on today (25 June), Nuruzzafa Bhuiyan, acting general secretary of the CPB's Chattogram district unit, announced the programme.
In a written statement, he said, "This road march of anti-imperialist patriots is part of the struggle to protect national interests. We are taking to the streets to resist the government's anti-national actions."
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Speakers said the march will begin at dawn on Friday (27 June), with a brief rally in front of the Dhaka Press Club.
After roadside meetings in Cumilla, Feni and Mirsarai, the procession will enter Chattogram on Saturday (28 June), starting a procession at 3pm from Barik Building intersection and concluding with a rally at 5 pm in front of the Chattogram Port Authority building.
Ashok Saha, president of the CPB's Chattogram district unit and coordinator of the Left Alliance, said, "If the lease agreement with DP World is implemented, it will ensure access for the US Navy. This is a direct blow to our national security."
Shafiuddin Kabir Abid, coordinator of BASAD (Marxist), said that creating a 'humanitarian corridor' in Rakhine would impose the worry of war on Bangladesh.
Other speakers at the briefing included BASAD In-charge Al Kaderi Joy, Gonomukti Union leader Raja Mia and Samyabadi Andolon leader Shahin Manjur.
During the press conference, the leaders called on the administration, media and residents of Chattogram for cooperation, saying, "People from all walks of life must unite to resist agreements that harm national interests."
Organisers also called on the authorities to strengthen security measures surrounding the road march.
The press conference concluded with an appeal to all anti-imperialist forces and conscientious citizens of the country to join the programme.
