Protest march, daylong strike continues disrupting operations at Chattogram Port
Since morning, hundreds of vehicles lined up at various entry points to deliver goods, but with most unloading and cargo-handling activities suspended, vehicles could not enter the port.
While enforcing daylong strike workers and employees of Chattogram Port brought out a protest march around 11:00am on Saturday, intensifying their opposition to the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal.
The procession started from inside the port area and moved through Nimtala before reaching Gate No. 3. It then returned and ended at Gate No. 4 of Chattogram Port, where protesters staged demonstrations and held a brief rally.
At the gathering, labour leaders said the terminal in question is a profitable one and questioned the rationale behind leasing it to a private operator. They termed the contract process unacceptable and warned that tougher programmes would follow if the authorities proceed further with the deal.
As part of the agitation, port workers and employees have been observing a work stoppage since 8:00am, which is scheduled to continue until 4:00pm bringing the port operations to a halt. The disruption has left truck drivers arriving from distant districts stranded, as cargo unloading remains suspended.
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Importers and clearing and forwarding agents have also been affected, with consignments failing to reach destinations on time due to halted port operations.
To prevent any instability or violent situation in the port area, law enforcement agencies have been deployed in large numbers. Security personnel were seen at every gate, as well as in front of the port's administrative buildings.
Repeated attempts to contact the port authorities for comment were unsuccessful, as no response was received.
