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

Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram district President and Labour Reform Commission Member Tapan Dutta in his speech urged the government to step back from the decision to lease out the terminals to DP World and APM Terminals.

“Do not do 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.