Operations at Chattogram port confronted disruptions after staff and employees enforced an indefinite strike from 8:00am right this moment.
The Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad enforced the strike following a two-day postponement of an earlier work abstention programme.
The platform positioned 4 calls for, together with cancellation of the transfer to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World and the elimination of the port chairman, together with a probe into alleged corruption involving him.
Leaders of the protesting employees additionally introduced suspension of cargo supply from mom vessels on the port’s outer anchorage as a part of the strike.
Loading and unloading of cargo and containers at seven vessels, together with three container ships, on the port’s oldest terminal, Common Cargo Berth (GCB), remained suspended instantly after the strike started, mentioned Fazley Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Ship Dealing with and Berth Operators Affiliation.
Operations involving roughly 80 mom vessels on the outer anchorage additionally confronted critical disruption. Whereas protesters initially halted all exercise, Sarwar Sagar, chairman of the asociation, acknowledged that they requested the strikers to permit ten vessels nearing completion to complete work earlier than their scheduled departure right this moment.
Nonetheless, operations continued on the jetties of two different terminals, the Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and NCT, that are being operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Restricted (CDDL) underneath the Bangladesh Navy, in accordance with sources.
Vessel motion had not began as of the morning, as excessive tide was anticipated at 12:40pm, mentioned sources on the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
Numerous police and military personnel have been deployed from the morning at completely different entry gates of the port, the port’s administrative constructing, auditorium, and entry factors of method roads.
Regulation enforcers have been additionally seen patrolling inside port jetties and yards, sources mentioned.
Police confirmed the detention of two CPA staff, Abu Kalam Azad and Shamsu Mia Tuku, in reference to the continuing motion over NCT points. Md Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner (port) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, confirmed that regulation enforcers are at present verifying their roles and investigating the matter additional.
The CPA referred to as an emergency assembly with staff and employees from completely different departments on the CPA auditorium at 9:30am.
Heads of departments have been requested to make sure the presence of round 200 officers and employees members, whereas the chief welfare officer was instructed to make sure attendance of 100 enlisted employees from varied classes.
Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, mentioned, “The chairman of Chattogram port, SM Moniruzzaman, has been utilizing the police, military, coast guard, SB and DB since yesterday to harass our leaders and activists. A number of individuals have been arrested yesterday and once more right this moment. At this second, he’s bringing in employees from completely different departments with the assistance of police and forcing them into the auditorium to attend the assembly.”
“He desires to point out that he has efficiently held the assembly. He desires to painting, like a fascist, that port employees are with him. However we wish to make it clear that the strike is ongoing on the port right this moment. We hope he’ll resolve the issue quickly; in any other case, we’ll take strict motion,” he added.
Parishad leaders urged staff and employees to not attend the assembly, alleging that it was an try by the authority to create division amongst protesters.
The CPA chairman is scheduled to deal with a press convention right this moment.
