Protest in Chattogram Against Handing Over Port to Foreign Companies

Chattogram, October 25, 2025 (Saturday):

A large protest was held in Chattogram demanding that the country’s most profitable and strategic asset — the Chattogram Port — not be handed over to foreign companies. The protest, organized under the banner “Workers-Students-Professionals-Citizens to Save the Port, Chattogram”, took place at Agrabad intersection on Saturday morning.

Speakers alleged that a conspiracy is underway to hand over New Mooring Terminal and Laldia Char to foreign corporations despite the port’s proven profitability. They warned that this move would endanger national sovereignty and economic independence.

They said, “The Chattogram Port earns over Tk 2,500 crore profit annually. Yet, in favor of foreign interests, port tariffs have been increased by 41 percent, which is unjustified and part of a deep-rooted conspiracy.”
According to them, the interim government has neither the authority nor the moral right to take such a far-reaching decision without consulting the people.

The protesters also condemned the one-month ban on rallies around the port area, calling it an attempt to silence opposition. They warned that “if this anti-national deal is implemented, a tougher movement will follow.”

The protest rally was presided over by Bir Muktijoddha Raja Mia, President of Gonomukti Union.
Speakers included Khorshed Alam, President of Trade Union Sangha; Rizwanur Rahman, Joint Coordinator of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP); Adv. Shafi Uddin Kabir Abid, Coordinator of BASAD (Marxist); Jahid Uddin Shaheen, Secretary of the National Workers Federation; Engr. Sinchon Bhowmik, Moshiur Rahman Khan of the Center for People’s Rights Practice, and Laboni Akter, Office Secretary of Socialist Students Front, among others.
The event was conducted by Satyajit Biswas, Secretary of Garments Workers Union.

From the rally, two upcoming programs were announced:
October 27 – Protest in front of the Ministry of Shipping in Dhaka,
November 1 – Hunger strike at Chattogram Press Club in solidarity with SKOP.

Mohammad Yousuf, Chattogram