‘Disgruntled’ customers demand removal of Islami Bank chairman

Police on Monday used water cannons, tear gas and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators protesting the appointment of Islami Bank’s new chairman outside the bank’s head office in Dhaka’s Dilkusha area, triggering clashes that left many people injured.

The demonstrators, under the banners of the Islami Bank Disgruntled Customers’ Coordination Council and the Islami Bank Customer Forum, alleged that the appointment of former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Md Khorshid Alam bypassed proper board procedures and facilitated the return of individuals linked to the controversial S Alam Group.

Following the protests, Bangladesh Bank said Md Khorshid Alam would not be removed from his position despite the demonstrations.

Speaking to UNB, Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan said: “The movement has no connection with the appointment. If Bangladesh Bank changes a decision today because of a protest, and another group later launches a movement against that revised decision, what will the central bank do? Bangladesh Bank will proceed according to its own independent procedures.”

He said there was no possibility of altering the central bank’s decision in response to street protests.

Meanwhile, demonstrators claimed that more than 100 people were injured during the police action, although the figure could not be independently verified.

Witnesses said hundreds of depositors, shareholders and supporters began gathering in front of Islami Bank Tower from as early as 6:00am.

Tensions escalated around 9:30am when a large contingent of police, equipped with water cannons and riot-control gear, moved in to disperse the crowd.

Professor Nurnabi Manik, president of the Islami Bank Disgruntled Customers’ Coordination Council, said: “We were holding a peaceful and democratic human chain to protect our deposits from being looted by structural cronies of the fallen regime. The unprovoked and excessive use of force against ordinary citizens is completely unacceptable.”

He also alleged that the bank was facing a severe liquidity crisis, preventing many customers from withdrawing their money.

DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) NM Nasiruddin said the demonstrators had blocked key roads in Motijheel, causing severe traffic congestion, and had thrown brickbats at police officers.

“A group of dismissed Islami Bank employees had applied for permission to hold a rally, which was denied by DMP headquarters. The customer group, meanwhile, did not seek any prior permission,” Nasiruddin told UNB.

Rejecting protesters’ claims that police had opened fire and left 30 people with gunshot wounds, he said officers had used only tear gas and water cannons to bring the situation under control.

According to the DMP, 10 police personnel, including the Assistant Commissioner (Patrol) of the Motijheel Zone, were injured in stone-pelting incidents.

Jamaat condemns police action

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami strongly condemned the police action against protesters outside the bank's headquarters.

In a statement, Jamaat's Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said ordinary account holders were conducting a peaceful sit-in programme when police initiated an unprovoked baton charge and used tear gas and water cannons.

Denouncing the use of force, Porwar expressed his full solidarity with the customers, describing their demands as logical and just.

According to the statement, demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the bank’s newly-appointed chairman and seeking protection of depositors’ interests.

“Unfortunately, police launched a baton charge around 9:30am without any provocation and used water cannons and tear gas against the peaceful protesters. At one stage, police opened fire, seriously injuring many depositors,” he said.

The Jamaat leader wished a speedy recovery to those injured and described the police action as “unwarranted repression” and a violation of human rights.

Porwar claimed that many customers believe the newly-appointed chairman is linked to what he described as the “Awami fascist regime” and expressed fears that retaining him could expose the bank to further financial risks.

He said protecting personal savings and demanding accountability in the banking sector were constitutional rights of citizens.

He called on the authorities to identify those responsible for the alleged attack on customers and bring them to accountability.

Bangladesh Bank appointed Md Khorshid Alam as the chairman of Islami Bank on the night of May 24.

The appointment followed the sudden resignation earlier that day of M Zubaidur Rahman, who had been appointed as chairman during the interim government's tenure.

Rahman resigned after facing intense pressure and demonstrations from individuals identifying themselves as bank officials and customers.

Sources added that the managing director (MD) of the bank is also currently on extended leave.