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A protest rally against the government’s agreement with Dubai-based DP World to operate Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) turned chaotic in Dhaka on Thursday, with police using batons to disperse demonstrators.
Left-leaning political parties and organisations staged the protest outside the Invest Bangladesh office in Agargaon, opposing the 15-year concession agreement with DP World.
The agreement was formally signed at the Invest Bangladesh auditorium at around 3:30pm.
The protesters chanted slogans against handing over the operation of NCT to a foreign company. At one point, police moved to disperse them and allegedly beat protesters with batons, according to reports.
The protest was joined by the Bangladesh Socialist Party (BaSaD), Democratic Revolutionary Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh JaSaD), BaSaD (Marxist), Bangladesh Communist Movement, Anti-Imperialist and Anti-War Alliance, Democratic Student Alliance and Democratic Rights Committee.
Opponents of the deal have argued that leasing NCT to a foreign operator could hurt the Chattogram Port Authority financially, weaken local expertise and create geopolitical risks.
The government, however, says DP World’s involvement will improve terminal efficiency, introduce modern technology and attract foreign investment in port and logistics infrastructure.
