Port Protection Committee rallies against leasing NCT, CCT

The Port Protection Committee brought out a protest procession in the city on Monday, opposing the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT).
The committee also announced a daylong sit-in in front of Chattogram Port building on 5 October to press its demand.
The protesters began the procession from the Barik Building area in the morning and headed towards the port. It ended near Gate No. 2 around 11:45am following a request from police.
Speaking at a rally before the procession, committee convener Engr Delwar Majumder said Chattogram Port was a vital national economic asset and the NCT and CCT, built with the port’s own funds, should not be leased to any local or foreign firm.
He said the movement was not against the government but aimed to “bring the government closer to the people” in the public interest.
The protesters alleged that handing over the operation and management of key terminals at the country’s main seaport to foreign companies would be against the national interest.
They demanded that the leasing process be scrapped and the terminals continue to be operated under the port’s own management.