Leaders of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) warned that Bangladesh will be brought to a complete standstill through general strikes and blockades if the government does not backtrack from its decision to lease out the New-Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Laldia Terminal of the Chattogram port to foreign entities.

They issued the warning from a rally held before a torch procession that marched from Nayabazar to Boropole in the city’s Halishahar area on Saturday night.

In the rally, Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram district President and Labour Reform Commission member Tapan Dutta urged the government to step back from the decision to lease out the terminals to DP World and APM Terminals.

“Refrain from making excess over the Chattogram port and withdraw the decision. Bangladesh will be shut down through tougher programmes like hartals and blockades if the NCT and Laldia are leased out,” he warned.

“We cannot accept any secret agreement that keeps the public in the dark,” Tapan added.

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Chattogram divisional General Secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar chaired the rally conducted by SKOP Joint Coordinator Rizwanur Rahman Khan.

Bangladesh Sramik Federation President SK Khoda Toton, Dock Sramik Dal General Secretary Taslim Hossain Selim, and Bandar Sramik Dal General Secretary Ibrahim Khokon addressed the rally, among others.