Breaking News:Chattogram Port Protest Update | Indefinite strike disrupts operations at Chattogram port– What Just Happened

Operations at Chattogram port faced disruptions after employees and workers enforced an indefinite strike from 8:00am today.

The Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad enforced the strike following a two-day postponement of an earlier work abstention programme.

The platform placed four demands, including cancellation of the move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World and the removal of the port chairman, along with a probe into alleged corruption involving him.

Leaders of the protesting workers also announced suspension of cargo delivery from mother vessels at the port’s outer anchorage as part of the strike.

Loading and unloading of cargo and containers at seven vessels, including three container ships, at the port’s oldest terminal, General Cargo Berth (GCB), remained suspended immediately after the strike began, said Fazley Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Ship Handling and Berth Operators Association.

Operations involving approximately 80 mother vessels at the outer anchorage also faced serious disruption. While protesters initially halted all activity, Sarwar Sagar, chairman of the asociation, stated that they requested the strikers to allow ten vessels nearing completion to finish work before their scheduled departure today.

However, operations continued at the jetties of two other terminals, the Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and NCT, which are being operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL) under the Bangladesh Navy, according to sources.

Vessel movement had not started as of the morning, as high tide was expected at 12:40pm, said sources at the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).

A large number of police and army personnel were deployed from the morning at different entry gates of the port, the port’s administrative building, auditorium, and entry points of approach roads.

Law enforcers were also seen patrolling inside port jetties and yards, sources said.

Police confirmed the detention of two CPA employees, Abu Kalam Azad and Shamsu Mia Tuku, in connection with the ongoing movement over NCT issues. Md Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner (port) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, confirmed that law enforcers are currently verifying their roles and investigating the matter further.

The CPA called an emergency meeting with employees and workers from different departments at the CPA auditorium at 9:30am.

Heads of departments were asked to ensure the presence of around 200 officials and staff members, while the chief welfare officer was instructed to ensure attendance of 100 enlisted workers from various categories.

Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, said, “The chairman of Chattogram port, SM Moniruzzaman, has been using the police, army, coast guard, SB and DB since yesterday to harass our leaders and activists. Several people were arrested yesterday and again today. At this moment, he is bringing in workers from different departments with the help of police and forcing them into the auditorium to attend the meeting.”

“He wants to show that he has successfully held the meeting. He wants to portray, like a fascist, that port workers are with him. But we want to make it clear that the strike is ongoing at the port today. We hope he will resolve the problem soon; otherwise, we will take strict action,” he added.

Parishad leaders urged employees and workers not to attend the meeting, alleging that it was an attempt by the authority to create division among protesters.

The CPA chairman is scheduled to address a press conference today.