SKOP blocks Ctg port entrance protesting new mooring lease

Trade union platform Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) launched a blockade in front of several entrance to Chattogram port on Wednesday (November 26) to protest the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign companies and to demand the cancellation of the Laldia Char terminal lease.

The protest began at 10:00am at three locations in the port city: Barapool intersection, Siemens Hostel Gap, and Banbadar Toll Plaza intersection, disrupting traffic for vehicles heading toward the port, according to Secretary Md Omar Faruk.

"However, the port operations continued unaffected," he confirmed.

The action drew support from the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and the Left Democratic Alliance. SKOP leaders, including Tapan Dutta, president of the Trade Union Centre, and Fazlul Kabir Mintu, demanded the government withdraw the leasing decision, warning that the blockade would continue until the port authorities reversed their stance.

The protest was scheduled to end at 1:00pm.

A rally by SKOP and Left Democratic Alliance leaders, including former Communist Party central president Md Shah Alam, was held at the Barapool intersection at 10:30am, before participants blocked the road leading to the port.

SKOP stated the protest is a stand against leasing the Chattogram Port terminals to foreign companies.