Port Protest Leader Ibrahim Khokon Arrested in Chattogram

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members arrested Ibrahim Khokon, a key coordinator of the recent Chattogram Port strikes, from the Bandar area on Monday night. Khokon, who leads the Port Protection Movement Council and serves as a coordinator for the Bandar Nationalist Workers' Party, was later handed over to Bandar Police Station.

The arrest occurred less than 24 hours after a continuous strike at the country’s premier seaport was suspended.

Chattogram City Police Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid confirmed the arrest but did not specify the exact charges, stating that further action would follow verification.

The arrest has sparked an immediate backlash from the Chittagong Sramik Karmachar Oikya Parishad (SCOP). In a joint statement, labor leaders—including AM Nazim Uddin and Tapan Dutta—condemned the move as a "conspiracy to destabilize the port" just as operations were returning to normal. They argued that arresting leaders after a strike withdrawal incites unnecessary conflict.

Port employees, led by Khokon and Humayun Kabir, have been protesting a four-point charter of demands. A primary grievance involves opposing the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to private operators. The movement saw a series of work stoppages starting January 31, which were briefly suspended following talks with the Shipping Advisor before resuming and eventually being withdrawn on Monday morning.