Another 15 Chittagong Port officials transferred amid NCT protests

Authorities have transferred 15 more Chittagong Port officials involved in protests against lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign handlers, a move denounced as “harassment”.

The Ministry of Shipping announced the reshuffle on Monday, citing “official necessity” as the reason.

Of the 15 officials, seven have been sent to Mongla Port in Khulna, while eight have been posted to Payra Port in Patuakhali.

The transfers come amid an ongoing movement against the decision to lease NCT to UAE-based operator DP World.

Since Saturday, the Port Nationalist Labour Party has been observing daily eight-hour work stoppages in protest.

The demonstrations are now being carried out under the banner of the Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Council.

Council coordinator Ibrahim Khokon has been transferred to Payra Port, while fellow coordinator Md Humayun Kabir has been posted to Mongla Port.

Both were earlier transferred by the Chattogram Port Authority last Saturday to the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Dhaka.

Others transferred to Payra Port include Faridur Rahman, Md Shafiuddin, Zahidul Islam, Liaqat Ali, Humayun Kabir, Md Rabbani and Rashidul Islam.

Those sent to Mongla Port are Abdullah Al Mamun, Khandaker Masuduzzaman, Shakil Raihan, Manik Mizi, Aminur Rasul Bulbul and Shamsu Mia.

Since the protest against the NCT lease began, 16 officials were transferred over two days.

Some were posted to Pangaon ICT in Keraniganj, while others were sent to Kamalapur ICD in Dhaka.

Reacting to the latest transfers, council coordinator Ibrahim told bdnews24.com that the moves were meant to “harass” those involved in the movement.

“They were transferred to Pangaon ICT and Kamalapur ICD over the past two days, and now they have been transferred again. We condemn this and demand that the transfer orders be withdrawn,” he said.