On Sunday (September 20), these demands were made at a press conference held at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club. Leaders of the organization said that if the demands are not implemented by September 30, bulkheads and dredgers will be stopped on all river routes in the country for an indefinite period.
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Bulkhead owners threaten indefinite strike after September 30
The association leaders demanded that new legal sand quarries be identified in the rivers of Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Chandpur, Shariatpur, Bhola and Barishal, and leased through open tenders in accordance with the Sand Quarry and Soil Management Act, 2010.
The six-point demands include ensuring the safety of lives and property of legal sand quarries, bulkheads, dredgers and workers, and forming an effective monitoring committee comprising representatives of the naval and local administration, lessees, bulkhead owners and workers.
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In addition, the organization demanded strengthened patrolling by the river police and Coast Guard to stop extortion, robbery and the rampage of dishonest fishermen on waterways, allowing bulkheads to operate at night on safe waterways in accordance with rules, and an end to harassing cases. It also demanded an end to the collection of illegal money and arbitrary tolls in the name of BIWTA or any other organization.
Bangladesh Bulkhead Owners Association President Marfat Mizhi, General Secretary Md. Faruk Hossain and Organizing Secretary Md. Zaman Khan were present at the press conference.