The Calcutta High Court on Friday debarred all kinds of trade union activities within 100 metres of the Haldia dock complex and directed the East Midnapore district magistrate and superintendent of police to ensure law and order at the port.
“The district magistrate of East Midnapore and superintendent of police shall ensure that no disruptive activities take place at the berths No 2 and 8,” Justice Dipankar Datta directed, in an interim measure.
The court also said that none of the “retrenched” workers or agitating trade union members should come within 100 metres of the dock complex.
In September, Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) sacked 275 workers to “right-size” its workforce to reduceoperational losses.
Responding to a writ petition filed by HBT, the court said while no unauthorised person should be allowed at the complex, the police personnel should ensure security at the port area.
The court also directed the superintendent of police to decide on the number of police guards to be deployed at the complex.
HBT moved the petition on October 16 seeking the High Court’s intervention in restoring law and order.
HBT had stopped operations since September 25 at the mechanised berths at the dock complex citing alleged lawlessness.
The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) had set a deadline of October 19 for HBT to resume handling of cargo.
In August, HBT had intended to suspend operations at Haldia port and claimed “under-utilisation of capacity”. KoPT agreed to a deal to allocate more vessels to HBT berths.