Movement to fight out Saif Powertec from Ctg port continues

CHITTAGONG, Sept 1: Chittagong city unit of the ruling Awami League has extended its support to the 'fight out Saif Powertec from the port' movement as second phase of the movement started Monday with wearing of black badge.
In the party's extended meeting held Sunday at the city office of the Awami League its president ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury said the party extends support and solidarity to the movement launched by Chattagram Bandar Raksha Parishad (CBRP) to fight out berth operator Saif Powertec from Chittagong Port.
Supporters of the CBRP today started wearing black badge to protest the offering cargo handling contract by Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) at the two berths of New Mooring Container Terminal and other 'illegal' deals with Saif Powertec.
The black badge wearing programme was launched this morning at the south gate of the CPA Building which will continue till September 3. The CBRP has also called a token hunger strike of the port workers in the CPA premises on September 7 and a public meeting at the city's Laldighi Moidan on September 10 next.
Convenor of the CBRP and former city mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury formally inaugurated the programme at 11 am today. Port workers leaders and CBA leaders also addressed the meeting organized on the occasion of the black badge wearing three day programme.
"We will proceed with our systematic movement. Don't think that we are weak. I have a list of those who have been involved with the mafia in the port and are gaining financial benefit from that mafia. So be careful about the consequence of maintaining links with the nexus," he said in the meeting.
He said that several thousand workers of the port will observe hunger strike in the Bandar Bhaban on September 7 peacefully.
Some quarters have stated that the port activities will be suspended which is not true. "I warn you not to collaborate with the illegal firm Saif Powertec. I also urge the Port Authority to scrap all deals with that firm," he said.
Chowdhury further said that black badge wearing programme will be observed tomorrow at the Barik Building intersection, port jetty gate and all wards under the port police station. Programme will be observed in the Patenga Steel Mill area on September 3. A huge black flag was also hoisted in front of the CPA Bhanan during the programme.
 Abu Taher, Mahfuzur Rahman Khan, Haji Momtaz Uddin, Abdul Ahad, Md Ilyas, Harunor Rashid, Iskander Meah, Gazi Alamgir, Sazzadur Rahman, Jafar Alam Mojumder among other workers leaders also addressed the meeting.