The Port Protection Council in Chittagong has staged a torch procession and road blockade demanding that no part of the Chittagong port, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), be handed over to foreign entities. The protest took place on Tuesday evening at the Port Connecting Road in the city’s Bara Pol area. Speakers at the rally, including Hasan Maruf Rumi of the Ganosamhati Andolon, alleged that the government was conspiring to lease out profitable port facilities to foreign companies under the guise of development. They claimed the port’s revenue had already increased by 21 percent, proving its efficiency. The council gave the authorities 40 hours to withdraw any such decision, warning that otherwise, they would announce tougher programs at a press conference on November 20. Protesters emphasized that while they support foreign investment in new projects like the Bay Terminal, they strongly oppose foreign control over existing profitable terminals like NCT and CCT.