Protesters threaten to shut Ctg port over NCT deal

Protesters yesterday threatened to shut down operations at Chattogram port, extending up to Kutubdia anchorage, if the government signs a deal with a foreign company to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).

They urged the government to “read the pulse” of port workers, employees and protesters and refrain from handing over the port’s functional terminals -- NCT, CCT and GCB -- to foreign companies.

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They made the call at a rally during a three-hour sit-in from 11:00am at the entrance to the port’s administrative building, organised by Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Committee.

Md Ibrahim Khokan, joint coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, termed NCT the “heart of the Chattogram port”.

“NCT cannot be handed over to any foreign firm. We port workers, employees and the protesters here won’t allow any such move.”

Saying they had heard that the government was planning to sign the NCT concession agreement on October 8, Khokan warned that the moment any deal was signed, operations at the port and even up to Kutubdia anchorage would be halted.

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Chattogram divisional unit General Secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar presided over the rally, moderated by Bandar Rokkha Committee Member Secretary Fazlul Kabir Mintu.

The leaders demanded cancellation of the proposed 15-year concession process for the NCT and overflow yard, withdrawal of the initiative to lease out the CCT, and withdrawal of what they described as “harassing and false” cases filed against port labour leaders.