Port workers in Chattogram held a torch procession yesterday (2 November), protesting against any move to lease out Chattogram Port operations to foreign operators.
Around 400 to 500 workers and locals marched from Agrabad Access Road to Boropool intersection around 7:30pm under the banner of Chattogram Port Protection Council.
During the procession, protesters chanted slogans demanding that the port not be handed over to foreigners, the cancellation of the recently increased port tariffs, and the removal of both the Chattogram Port Authority chairman and the Public-Private Partnership Authority chairman.
Participants said Chattogram Port is a priceless national asset, and the people of Chattogram would resist any attempt to transfer its operations to foreign hands, even at the cost of their lives.
They also warned of a tougher movement if the government does not halt the process of leasing port operations to foreign companies.
Earlier, various professional bodies, business groups, and labour organisations had been holding demonstrations against leasing the New Mooring and Laldia Char container terminals to foreign operators.
Following the growing protests, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police on 10 October issued a notice banning all rallies and processions in the port area.
Recently, police barred the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) from marching toward the port, sparking brief tension in the area. On Saturday morning, several hundred SKOP leaders and activists staged a mass hunger strike in front of the Chattogram Press Club to press the same demands.