SKOP stages blockade over New Mooring lease

Trade union platform Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) has launched a blockade in Chattogram to protest against moves to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign companies and to demand the cancellation of the Laldia Char terminal lease.

SKOP leaders and activists began the protest action at three points in the port city from 10am on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and the Left Democratic Alliance have expressed their solidarity with the programme.

SKOP workers are blocking three entry points to the port - the Barapool intersection, Siemens Hostel Gap, and Banbadar Toll Plaza intersection, as police have imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings in and around the port.

The activists took to the road at the city's port toll plaza shortly after 10am and blocked traffic. The blockade halted the movement of covered vans, trucks, and trailers heading towards the port.

SKOP leader Tapan Dutta, president of the Trade Union Centre, said: "We are protesting against the leasing of Chittagong Port to foreigners. Our blockade is ongoing in three places."

The protest will continue until the port authorities change their stance, he said, adding their blockade programme will end at 1pm.

SKOP and Left Democratic Alliance leaders gathered at the Barapool intersection around 10:30am for a rally. Later they blocked the road leading to the port.

SKOP leader Fazlul Kabir Mintu said, "Our movement is in protest against the leasing out of the port terminal. The government must backtrack from this decision."

Former central president of the Communist Party Md Shah Alam and other leaders also attended the rally at Barapool.

The SKOP protest programme has not caused any hindrance in Chittagong Port operations, said Secretary Md Omar Faruk.