The ongoing development work at Payra Port in Patuakhali has been halted for the last nine days due to port management's refusal to pay the alleged extortion demanded by local Chhatra League leaders.
Kalapara Upazila Chhatra League leaders also allegedly beat up the officials of the contractor farm and prohibited them from working until the demanded extortion is paid off.
Nasir Uddin, the chief engineer of Payra Port Authority confirmed the matter and said that Since 26 February, the development work on the prime minister's priority project has been halted due to extortion threats.
Ashiq Talukder, general secretary of Kalapara upazila Chhatra League, denied the allegations and said his grandfather's land in Dhankhali and Nalua union of Kalapara was given up for the country's large-scale development. He went to the port to ask for work.
He accused the chief engineer of favouring BNP leaders from Kalapara, such as Liton Gazi and Azad Gazi, by providing contracts while denying work to those who serve the ruling party.
“On February 26, there was an altercation regarding the matter. They are now spreading information about extortion demands. All of this is false. Being part of the Chhatra League, I cannot attack a project that is a priority for the prime minister,” he said.
Hasan Mahmud, chief engineer of Water Birds Limited said that on February 26, Ashiq Talukdar, general secretary of upazila Chhatra League, led an attack on their office and physically assaulted workers and officers.
“They demanded a monthly extortion of Tk30 lakh. Following this occurrence, we and the Chinese corporation filed a written complaint with Payra Port Authority,” he said.
“But the authorities have failed to take any action. We are unable to start work due to security concerns,” he added.
Since this incident, Water Birds Limited and CSIC International Engineering Company Limited have halted their work.
