Bhola Ship Workers Protest Extortion and Assault on Inland Waterways

Ship workers plying the inland waterways of Bhola staged a human chain and rally on Monday morning, demanding an end to extortion and physical assault by a group operating in the district's river ghats.

The protest, organised by the Bangladesh Ship Workers Federation's Bhola district branch, was held in front of the Bhola Press Club on 8 June. Speakers alleged that bulkhead vessel workers operating routes including the Sea Beach Charpara waterway and Chittagong Port are routinely subjected to extortion and intimidation.

Protesters specifically named the Elisha and Tulatali Ghat areas of Bhola as flashpoints, where a group calling themselves "pilots" allegedly detain vessels and demand money. Workers who refuse to pay, speakers alleged, are beaten and abused.

Federation leaders named a person referred to as "Char Khek" and an individual named Chaket Jamal as those behind the alleged extortion network, with associates identified as Mofiz and a group called "Sabuj Bahini" said to carry out the attacks. The federation demanded that those responsible face legal consequences.

Labour leaders warned that if the extortion is not stopped, they would call for a halt to all ship movements across the country. They also demanded that the local administration guarantee free passage for fishermen and ensure the safety of riverside landowners.

The rally was chaired by Billal Goldar, president of the Bangladesh Ship Workers Federation's Bhola district branch. General secretary Nizam Uddin, executive president Shahabuddin, and member Ibrahim Majhi also addressed the gathering.