Leaders and activists of Shramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) blocked access to the Chittagong port’s entry gates in protest, accusing the authorities of manoeuvring to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World and demanding the cancellation of lease agreements for Laldia Char and Pangaon.
According to media sources, the blockade began at 10am on Wednesday at Mile’r Matha (Seamen’s Hostel), the Toll Plaza gate on Toll Road and Baropul.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and the Left Democratic Alliance have expressed their solidarity with the programme.
SKOP leaders said the demonstrations would continue until 1PM. The protesters chanted slogans, ”We will not give our motherland and rivers to foreigners,” ”Workers of the world, unite and fight.”
The blockade halted the movement of covered vans, trucks and trailers heading towards the port.
SKOP leader Fazlul Kabir Mintu said, “Our movement is in protest against the leasing out of the port terminal. The government must backtrack from this decision.”
