CHITTAGONG, Mar 17: Production in factories and different development works in the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) were completely suspended on Tuesday after local protesters, backed by influential quarters, lay siege to its entry gates.
People said workers were stopped from entering the factories at KEPZ gate-1, Doulatpur by Baro Uthan UP chairman Didarul Alam and his men, gate-2, Boirag by Boirag UP chairman Noyab Ali and his men, and gate-3, Marine Academy by Anwara Upazila female vice chairman Mariam Begum and her supporters as well as some workers sacked earlier by the authority.
They launched a showdown with motorcycles and rounded the EPZ, creating panic among KEPZ staff, security personnel and workers, officials said.
"All sorts of administrative activities and production in factories are suspended, as our workers could not enter the KEPZ area this morning," a senior official told the FE on Tuesday.
Sources concerned said some businessmen and local public representatives have apparently launched a campaign against KEPZ to create grounds for grabbing its land.
They also said the district and upazila administrations remain 'mysteriously silent' over the deadlock, prevailing in the country's largest private EPZ for the last 17 days, while the industrial police and local police also remain onlookers.
The demonstrators from a rally declared on Sunday that they would prevent KEPZ officials from entering their offices.
On March 10, people under the banner of Anwara-Karnaphuli Jonoshartho Sangrakshan Sangram Parishad -- a platform to safeguard interest of locals -- declared a five-day ultimatum from a press conference. They alleged that KEPZ authority is preventing local people from burying dead bodies in their graveyards.
However, the authority categorically denied the allegation at a media briefing on March 08 at its office. The officials said a group of businessmen, politicians and local public representatives are playing a role behind the agitation in KEPZ.
KEPZ officials had as many as 13 meetings with the deputy commissioner (DC) of Chittagong over demarcation of graveyards, mosques, temples and walkways in the area to avoid such conflicts, and sent a letter to the Prime Minister. But officials in local administration did not take any effective step in this regard, sources said.
KEPZ authority in a statement alleged on Tuesday that the land-eaters have grabbed 10 acres of land of the EPZ at different places in Boirag and Guapanchak areas, violating the High Court rule on February 21, constructed brick wall on 1.5 acres of land in Guapanchak on March 6, and hang signboards of eidgah and graveyard on 1.5 acres in Doulatpur on March 15.
pankajdastider@gmail.com
