According to locals, the project was taken up because of the “special interest” of a senior government official from Habiganj. The Bangladesh Land Port Authority chairman, however, rejected the claim, saying there was no official reference to support it.

Around five thousand families of agitating tea garden workers in Chandpur of Habiganj are passing their days in fear of attack by Chunarughat upazila chairman men who allegedly roughed up three protesters on Saturday.

Tea workers of Habiganj chase away a muscle showdown of Chunarughat upazila chairman and block a highway for nearly three hours protesting a special economic zone in the area.

Tea garden workers in Habiganj yesterday issued a 16-day ultimatum to the government to cancel the move towards setting up a special economic zone (SEZ) in Chunarughat upazila.

Workers of Chandpur Tea Estate in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj yesterday held a rally at the estate, protesting the government move to set up a special economic zone there.

Around 15,000 workers from four tea gardens in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj continued an indefinite strike for the second consecutive day today demanding cancellation of the special economic zone (SEZ).