Road march threatened over move to hand Ctg port terminals to foreign operators

Bangladesh Chhatra Union has threatened to organise a road march if the government does not withdraw its decision to appoint foreign operators at three key terminals of Chattogram Port, including New Mooring Container Terminal.

In a joint statement, Chhatra Union Central Committee President Mahir Shahriar Reza and General Secretary Bahahuddin Shubho said giving control of the port to foreign companies is a threat to the sovereignty of the country.

They demanded that the decision be cancelled immediately.

The union leaders also stressed that the control of Chattogram Port must remain in local hands and that local capacity and companies should be strengthened, instead of bringing in foreign operators.

They called on people from all walks of life to join the movement to cancel this "anti-people decision".

Shipping Secretary Mohammed Yousuf at a seminar yesterday said the government plans to hand over the management of at least three port terminals — including the New Mooring Container Terminal — at Chattogram port to foreign operators by December this year.

His announcement comes amid growing opposition to the move from various quarters, including civil society groups and left-leaning organisations.

Previously, the Left Democratic Alliance and the Anti-Fascist Left Bloc staged a two-day road march from Dhaka to Chattogram on June 27–28, protesting the plan to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign company.