The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has requested the relevant offices and agencies to impose overseas travel restrictions and launch investigations into the movable and immovable assets of 15 of its employees for allegedly creating chaos and engaging in anti-state activities in the name of recent protests at the port.
Among the 15 employees are two coordinators of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad -- Md Humayun Kabir, an audit assistant of the Internal Audit and Inspection Department, and Md Ibrahim Khokon, a first-class engine driver of the Marine Department. The two, along with others, were transferred twice over the past week to port facilities in Dhaka, Mongla and Payra.
In a confidential and urgent letter signed by CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim and issued Thursday evening, the authority said the employees were transferred on February 2 to Mongla and Payra ports on deputation as part of disciplinary action for allegedly instigating disorder and disrupting port operations in the name of movements.
Noting that investigation proceedings against them are currently underway, the CPA requested the concerned authorities to ensure that the employees are barred from leaving the country. The letter also asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to probe their assets and take action based on the findings.
The letter was sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping. Copies were also sent to the office of the shipping adviser, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the director general of the National Intelligence Agency.
Attempts to contact the CPA secretary for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
Other employees named in the letter are Md Faridur Rahman, Mohammad Shafi Uddin, Rashidul Islam, Abdullah Al Mamun, Md Jahirul Islam, Khandaker Masuduzzaman, Md Shakil Raihan, Manik Mizhi, Md Shamsu Mia, Md Liaquat Ali, Aminur Rasul Bulbul and Md Rabbani. They are employed across various CPA departments, including traffic, marine, engineering, mechanical, planning and administration.
Earlier in the afternoon, following a meeting with Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain, two leaders of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad -- Md Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon -- announced the postponement of their work abstention for two days until Saturday.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Ibrahim Khokon said he had learned about the letter and that the Parishad leaders would hold a meeting this morning to discuss the matter.
Later, at 11:29pm on Thursday, Khokon uploaded a post on his Facebook profile, writing, “During this afternoon’s formal meeting at the Port Building, the shipping adviser assured us that he would hold discussions with government high ups on their demand of not handing over the NCT to DP World. At the request of the Chattogram business community, and considering the upcoming month of Ramadan, we suspended the ongoing indefinite work stoppage at Chattogram Port.
“Unfortunately, within just a few hours, the issuance of such a letter by the port authority has undoubtedly blocked the path to dialogue and understanding.
On behalf of the Port Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, we strongly condemn this action. At the same time, through such provocative letters, we call upon port employees not to be intimidated and to take final preparations for the next phase of the movement.”
