Human chain protests were held in Satkhira and Rajshahi on Tuesday, calling for the removal of the newly appointed chairman of Islami Bank and urging the restoration of transparency within the institution.
In Satkhira, the demonstration took place in front of the bank’s office at 10:30am, organised by the Islami Bank Conscious Customer Forum and the Islami Bank Customer Coordination Council. Chaired by veteran customer Maulana Abdul Bari, the programme saw over a hundred participants carrying placards and festoons.
Speakers at the event included Maulana Abdus Sabur, Maulana Monirul Islam Faruqi, and Abu Taleb.
Protesters demanded the immediate cancellation of Khurshid Alam’s appointment, a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, as chairman. They also called for the reinstatement of former Managing Director Omar Faruq, the return of S Alam Group Chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam to face trial, and the recovery of laundered funds.
Meanwhile, in Rajshahi, a similar human chain was organised by the ‘Islami Bank Customer Forum’ at the city’s Alupatti Mor on Tuesday afternoon.
Customers, businessmen, and professionals from various walks of life participated in the programme.
Speakers at the Rajshahi event, including Professor Sarwar Jahan Prince, Maulana Nuruzzaman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Kamruzzaman Sohel, and Farid Uddin Akhtar, alleged that controversial individuals have been appointed to key positions, ignoring the interests and trust of the customers.
They claimed that control of the bank was changed overnight, handing over responsibility to individuals previously accused of financial irregularities, embezzlement, and money laundering.
“Our hard-earned money is deposited in this bank,” the speakers stated. “Handing over responsibility to those with controversial pasts puts the interests of customers at risk”.
They urged the authorities to remove the new chairman and appoint qualified, acceptable individuals to ensure the bank remains a true “public institution”.
The protesters in Rajshahi warned of tougher programmes and a larger movement if their demands for accountability and the protection of deposits are not met promptly.
