Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) Limited at Chandraghona in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati formed a human chain protesting the continuation of production and anti-production conspiracy.
Speakers at the meeting said that strict programs will be given if KPM does not go into production within the next 24 hours.
The human chain program was held on the premises adjacent to KPM Gate No. 1 organized by KPM Sramik Karmachari Parishad at 1 pm yesterday. Permanent and temporary workers, teachers of schools and madrasas, students and locals took part in the rally.
Speakers at the human chain said that since 2017, the production of this largest paper mill in South Asia gradually decreased due to the conspiracy of the then KPM MD Dr. MA Quader. He also stopped KPM's own pulp production. The mill has been kept running by bringing foreign pulp sometimes 5 metric tons and sometimes 10 metric tons. However, the mill, which has a daily production capacity of 100 metric tons, still has the capacity to produce 70 to 80 metric tons of paper machine No. 1 and 2. Besides, machine No. 3 of the mill is closed due to technical error.
They also said that despite the production capacity, the mill has been digging since 2017. In addition, in 2022, the factory has reduced the budget and reduced the workforce, bringing the mill to the brink of destruction. The then MD MA Quader's associates are still involved in conspiracy. In this situation, the workers and employees of all levels are demanding to continue production.
Maidul Islam, GM (production) of KPM Mills, said the mill has not produced anything for the last one and a half months due to pulp crisis and technical errors. We hope to return to production next week.
Sramik Karmachari Parishad Vice Presidents Md Shahidullah, Md Tarek and Md Jasim, Joint Secretaries Nizam Uddin, Abdul Aziz and Md Alauddin, Finance Secretary Akhter Hossain, Organizing Secretary Md Harunur Rashid, Cultural Secretary Md Alauddin and Publicity and Publication Secretary Abul Kashem, among others, spoke on the occasion.
ZH
