Staff Correspondent
Large areas of the Old Town of Dhaka plunged into chaos as porters of Sadarghat launch terminal rampaged through the streets hurling crude bombs and halting traffic for about two hours Thursday afternoon over tender for labour handling at the terminal.
Launch services remained suspended during the violent demonstrations causing enormous sufferings to passengers, especially women and children.
Terminal sources said the authorities had invited tender to lease out the terminal’s Simson Ghat and Wise Ghat fixing the lease amount at Tk 1,24,01,096. One Alamgir Hossain on behalf of the porters offered Tk 66,24,000 while one Rafiqul Islam quoted Tk 1,24,51,000 for labours handling contract.
Three tender boxes were kept for dropping quotations but no quotation could be submitted at the terminal due to resistance by the porters’ organisation.
After 2:00pm, the authorities opened the tender boxes and Rafiqul Islam was named the lease winner.
As soon as the authorities made the announcement, several hundred workers under the banners of Dhaka BIWTA Ghat Sramik Union, Jatiya Ghat Sramik League, Dhaka BIWTA Ghat Sramik Union and Dhaka Ghat Sramik League took to the streets and went on a rampage exploding a number of bombs.
Traffic halted, shopkeepers pulled their shutters and pedestrians scurried for cover as panic gripped the crowded business hubs at Banglabazar, Sadarghat, Islampur, Patuatuli and Roy Shaheb Bazar.
Large contingents of police and Rapid Action Battalion rushed to the scene but failed to bring the situation under control immediately. All launches left the terminal and took shelters at Keraniganj ghat.
The ghat workers withdrew the blockade of the terminal at around 6:30pm.
President of the Ghat Sramik League, Mohiuddin, told New Age, ‘Labour organisation of the party in power always controls the terminal. Sramik Dal controlled the ghat during the rule of BNP-led government. Now we have decided to take control as the workers earn their living from the ghat.’
Senior deputy director of the BIWTA, Golam Kabir, told New Age, ‘The incident took place over tender but he didn’t know who were involved.
Officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station Mohammad Abdul Hannan told New Age, ‘The situation is under control.’
Courtesy: newagebd.com
