Government Takes Hardline Stance to Keep Chittagong Port Operational
Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat today, the Adviser characterized the work stoppage as a malicious attempt to hold the nation's 180 million people hostage, particularly with the month of Ramadan approaching. He stated that the authorities will take strict legal action against anyone obstructing the movement or unloading of goods, warning that those creating an artificial crisis during the election season will not be spared.
The port has been mired in a stalemate as the Chittagong Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad (Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council) enforces an indefinite strike over a four-point charter of demands. The primary grievance centers on the government’s decision to lease the operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the Dubai-based firm DP World. Although the strike was briefly suspended for two days following negotiations last week, protesters resumed full work abstention at 8:00 AM this morning, claiming the administration had failed to meet their demands and instead resorted to harassment and arrests.
At present, operations at the port’s various jetties and outer anchorage have come to a near standstill, leaving at least 12 vessels stranded and creating a massive backlog of export-laden vehicles. In addition to canceling the DP World deal, the protesters are demanding the immediate removal of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman, Rear Admiral M Moniruzzaman, and the withdrawal of all disciplinary actions taken against agitating employees. Coordination leaders of the struggle council, including Ibrahim Khokon, alleged that two of their leaders were picked up by law enforcement late Saturday night, vowing that such "repressive measures" would only fuel further resistance.
To maintain order and prevent further escalation, a significant number of police and army personnel have been deployed in and around the port area. Meanwhile, major trade bodies, including the BGMEA and BKMEA, have sent an open letter to the Chief Adviser seeking his direct intervention to resolve the crisis. They warned that a continued shutdown would lead to an economic catastrophe, causing irreparable damage to the readymade garment sector and driving up the prices of essential commodities in the market. While the Port Chairman maintains that situation is returning to normal, the visible presence of security forces and the firm stance of both the government and the workers suggest that the deadlock remains far from over.
