Cargo handling at Mongla port halted for 4 hours

26 January 2009, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Death of two retrenched dockworkers triggered high tension in Mongla port yesterday morning. Port workers alleged Abdus Samad Jamadar, 65, of Malgazi village and Abdus Sobhan Khan, 45, of Kumarkhali village under Mongla upazila died from starvation as they did not get their arrear wages. The port workers also suspended cargo handling from 9:00am to 1:00pm as a mark of respect to the deceased. Over Tk 1 lakh was due to Samad and Sobhan, said port workers' association general secretary Md Sahabuddin Ahmed. He said the port authority did not pay arrears to the two workers despite frequent appeals made by them during their lifetime. However, port officials denied the claims, saying the two died of diseases, not from starvation. Over 3,000 retrenched dockworkers brought out a procession in the morning carrying bodies of the two. They also put forward a five -point demand. Namaz-e-Janaja of the diseased was held at Mongla Sramik Sangha office ground in the morning where dockworkers and leaders of all political parties were present. A meeting will be held at the port office to resolve the crisis on Wednesday. Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque is expected to be present at the meeting.