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Published : 31 May 2025, 11:52 PM
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mohammad Shah Alam has threatened to launch a long march after Eid-ul-Azha if the government does not reverse its decision to involve foreign companies in the management of Chattogram Port and the proposed humanitarian corridor through Myanmar’s Rakhine.
Speaking at a news conference titled “Stop Imperialist Aggression over Chattogram Port and Rakhine Corridor” in Chattogram on Saturday, he said the move not only undermines national sovereignty but also exceeds the remit of the current interim government.
“If this decision to bring in foreign operators for port management and the so-called humanitarian corridor isn’t scrapped, we will launch a long march,” said the CPB president, a member of the six-party Left Democratic Alliance.
“The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad has already held demonstrations, and the BNP is also opposing it. If necessary, a united platform will emerge.”
Shah Alam claimed that both domestic and foreign actors are conspiring to take control of Chattogram Port.
“During [Sheikh] Hasina’s rule, the process of handing over the port to the American firm SSA began, but workers protested. Then there was an attempt to lease it for 192 years,” he said.
“We resisted on two fronts: the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports came from Dhaka, and four of us from Chattogram filed a Supreme Court case, and we won.”
Referring to the recent proposal to engage a foreign operator for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), he said: “Originally, it was Bay Terminal that was supposed to go to foreign management, not the NCT. That was under Hasina. This interim government is now pushing to give NCT to DP World instead.”
Shah Alam argued that the NCT has been fully operational since 2007 and requires no foreign involvement.
“It already has 14 gantry cranes, more than the 12 originally planned. Last year, it exceeded its container-handling capacity. It is self-sufficient. No new investment is needed.”
He added, “DP World is based in the UAE, but it has strategic links to the United States. Why is it so urgent now? This is not a matter for an interim government. Their interference is unacceptable.”
He also raised security concerns, noting the proximity of naval and air force installations to the port.
“All of this endangers our independence and sovereignty. The government must immediately withdraw from this plan.”
Turning to the proposed corridor through Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Shah Alam warned of serious geopolitical consequences.
“We want the Rohingya to be freed from inhumane conditions, but why must a corridor be created through Bangladesh?” he asked.
He alleged that when initial opposition arose, officials began rebranding the project as a “relief channel”.
“The people don’t see a difference between a corridor and a relief route. Myanmar is still under military rule. Bypassing their regime would create a warlike situation.”
The COB chief stressed that the project intersects with major international interests.
“India has the Kaladan project, China has military interests in Akyab and a gas pipeline, and Russia is also involved in Burma. This corridor would drag Bangladesh into Indo-Pacific geopolitics.”
“Both China and India oppose the corridor. If we bypass them, it could lead to bloodshed and further endanger the Rohingya. We believe this corridor, or so-called relief channel, is unnecessary.”
Shah Alam labelled the privatisation of the port as “anti-national”, urging the government to abandon the plan immediately.
“Port users, workers, and the general public all oppose this. There’s no need for any domestic or foreign middlemen. The port can manage itself—and any issues can be resolved internally.”
