As per reports, boat workers have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government demanding the arrest of those involved in the killing of seven crew members aboard the fertilizer-laden vessel MV Al-Bakhera in the Meghna River in Haimchar upazila (administrative division) of Chandpur. They threatened to initiate a nationwide shutdown of waterways from midnight on Thursday (26 December) and warned of continued nationwide protests if their demands are not met.

On Tuesday (24 December) morning, boat workers staged demonstrations in Chandpur’s launch terminal area.