Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) held a torch procession in Chattogram city this evening, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the government's plan to lease Chattogram port's Laldia Terminal and New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign or local companies.

According to witnesses, several hundred activists from pro-BNP and left-leaning workers' organisations participated in the procession, which began at Nayabazar intersection in Halisahar around 6:00pm and concluded at Boropool Mor.

Addressing a rally prior to the procession, Tapan Dutta, president of the Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram district committee, said, "Chattogram port, the lifeline of the country's economy, must remain under the control of dock workers, C&F workers, and the nation's working people—not foreigners."

He also expressed concern over the government's decision, saying, "It is extremely regrettable that the interim government has upheld the unilateral leasing decision taken by the previous administration."

Tapan announced that a divisional workers' convention will be held on November 22 at Chattogram Press Club.

The rally was chaired by Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Chattogram division and former general secretary of the port CBA.

In his speech, Bahar described a recent public notice by Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) banning rallies and gatherings in the port area as "an attack on democratic rights".

Other speakers included SK Khoda Toton, president of Bangladesh Sramik Federation; Taslim Hossain Selim, general secretary of the Dock Workers' Party; and Ibrahim Khokon, general secretary of the Port Workers' Party, among other labour leaders.