Hundreds of customers of an Al-Arafah Islami Bank agent banking outlet in Ukhia’s Palongkhali blocked the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf highway on Saturday, demanding the return of their deposits and punishment of those accused of misappropriating their money.
The protest began with a human chain at Palongkhali Station around 2pm. The customers later took to the highway, bringing traffic on both sides to a standstill for about three hours and causing long queues of vehicles.
The protesters chanted slogans such as “We want justice for the fraudsters” and “Return our money”. Several customers broke down in tears, saying they were unable to access their hard-earned savings when they needed them.
The customers alleged that they had deposited money at the Al-Arafah Islami Bank agent outlet in Palongkhali Bazar for years.
However, when they later sought to withdraw their deposits, the outlet officials allegedly refused to pay them, citing various excuses.
Some customers subsequently checked their account statements and deposit receipts and claimed they found discrepancies between the amounts they had deposited and the balances shown in their accounts.
“We deposited our hard-earned money with the bank. Now we cannot withdraw it when we need it. Our money must be returned immediately, and those involved in the alleged embezzlement must be arrested and brought to justice,” protesters said.
Anwar Faisal Arif, a Palongkhali Bazar businessman and complainant in the case, said he had deposited Tk5.55 lakh with the outlet.
“I had been conducting transactions with the bank for a long time. But when I needed to withdraw my money, I found that the amount deposited did not match the balance in my account. We want our money back and exemplary punishment for those responsible,” he said.
Customer Amirul Foyez said he had also been depositing money at the agent outlet for years.
“When I tried to withdraw my money, I was given various excuses. Later, I checked my account and deposit receipts and found that the amount I had deposited did not match the balance. We are extremely worried and want our hard-earned money returned quickly,” he said.
Runa Akter, another customer, said she had deposited her savings at the outlet because she trusted the bank.
“When I needed to withdraw the money, I learned that the full amount was not there. I contacted them repeatedly but received no solution. We want the accounts properly verified and every customer’s money returned,” she said.
Customer Khatijatul Kobra said she had deposited Tk10 lakh at the agent outlet.
“I faced problems when I tried to withdraw the money. Later, I learned that many other customers were also unable to access their deposits. We want our money back and demand an investigation and legal action against those responsible,” she said.
During the human chain, meat trader Md Shahjahan fell ill and collapsed. He claimed that Tk9 lakh of his money was deposited at the outlet.
Rasheda Begum, another customer, said she had around Tk1.5 lakh deposited there.
“That was my hard-earned money. Now I have nothing. I am helpless. The authorities must ensure that ordinary people like us get our money back,” she said.
Jafar Alam said he had saved Tk4.5 lakh at the bank to pay for his daughter’s wedding.
“I do not know how I will arrange my daughter’s wedding if I cannot recover the money. We want our deposits returned as soon as possible,” he said.
The protesters claimed the alleged irregularities involved far more customers than the 21 named in the case.
They alleged that several crores of taka belonging to other depositors also remained stuck at the agent outlet.
They demanded an impartial investigation to determine the actual amount involved and ensure that all affected customers receive their deposits.
Police and other law enforcement personnel went to the spot after learning about the blockade and tried to restore traffic movement. They spoke with the protesters and urged them to withdraw the programme.
Ukhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman Majumder said a case had been filed over the alleged embezzlement and two people had been detained.
“After learning about the human chain and highway blockade, we went to the spot and took measures to maintain law and order. The blockade was withdrawn around 5pm, and traffic movement was subsequently restored,” he said.
According to police, nine people have been named as accused in the case, including agent outlet owner Hakim Uddin, cashier Tahsin Islam and manager Habib Ullah Farhad.
They have been accused of misappropriating customers’ deposits and falsifying account documents and deposit receipts.
According to the case statement, a total of Tk 1,42,57,944 had been deposited in the accounts of 21 customers.
On 18 August, local people detained Hakim Uddin and Tahsin Islam and handed them over to police. Police subsequently took them into custody.
Anwar Faisal Arif later filed the case with Ukhia Police Station against nine people under relevant legal provisions.
Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Panna Akter said she had learned about allegations that several crores of taka had been misappropriated from the Al-Arafah Islami Bank agent outlet in Palongkhali Bazar.
“The matter has been brought to the attention of the higher authorities so that customers can recover their deposits,” she said.
Police said, however, that the exact amount allegedly misappropriated and the identities of everyone involved would be established only after an investigation.
