Port-protection movement intensifies as public anger grows over foreign lease deals

Staff Correspondent

The nationwide movement is intensifying in protest against the Yunus government’s secret initiative to lease various terminals, including the new moorings, of the Chittagong Port to foreign companies. The Bangladesh Workers’ Workers’ Union Council (SCOP) has announced a road blockade towards the Chittagong Port on November 26 to stop this lease.

The Chittagong District Branch of the Left Democratic Alliance and the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Chittagong Divisional Regional Committee have expressed full support for this program of SCOPE.

In addition, various professional people in the country are also getting angry over Dr. Yunus’ secret anti-national activities. They are also publicly complaining that Yunus is selling the country to foreigners.

Speakers at the Left Democratic Alliance rally and procession in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Sunday alleged that the process of leasing various terminals, including New Mooring in Chittagong, to foreign companies is being conducted in a very secretive manner, which is a serious threat to the country’s sovereignty and security.

They said that obtaining approval without the necessary board members, and completing negotiations in the name of discussions on weekends—all these are part of the opaque process.

The speakers claimed that the current interim government has no authority to make such an agreement and that the government should prepare to leave power by holding early elections.

After the rally, the procession traveled through various roads and ended at Paltan intersection.

On the same day, the Chittagong District Branch of the Left Democratic Alliance held a rally in the old station area of ​​Chittagong. They supported the November 26 blockade program announced by SCOP and called for the success of the Jamuna Gherao program announced on December 4.

The speakers said that 92 percent of the country’s total import and export is handled through Chittagong Port, so any decision on such a strategic establishment is very sensitive. They commented that the decision to lease a part of the port to a foreign company is even riskier, considering national interests and military-economic security.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of 47 labor organizations affiliated with the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Chittagong Divisional Committee at the BRTC Market office in Chittagong yesterday, solidarity with the blockade program announced by SCOP was also declared.

The leaders present said that establishing foreign control next to important national facilities – Chittagong Port, naval base, oil refinery and airport – would pose a serious risk to national interests and sovereignty.

Speakers at the meeting alleged that the secret activities regarding the lease of the country’s ports have created anger among the people and that this movement will become stronger to protect national interests.