Islami Bank row turns violent
Allegations of irregular recruitment and interference in the management of Islami Bank Bangladesh surfaced again on Monday as a demonstration over the bank’s governance turned into a confrontation between dismissed S Alam-era employees and members of a customers’ platform in the capital’s Motijheel area.
A clash reportedly broke out in front of Islami Bank Tower between former employees appointed during the tenure of S Alam and members of the Islami Bank Socheton Grohok Forum, a customers’ platform.
The forum had organised the demonstration demanding the appointment of honest, qualified and professional individuals to the bank’s Board of Directors and protesting alleged interference by the controversial S Alam Group.
Witnesses said an argument initially developed between the two sides outside the bank building before escalating into pushing, shoving and physical assaults.
The confrontation then turned into a series of chases and counter-chases, reportedly leaving several people injured on both sides.
Professor Nur Nabi Manik, president of the Islami Bank Socheton Grohok Forum, alleged that former employees who had been dismissed over allegations of irregular recruitment, along with people associated with S Alam, had taken positions outside the bank building before the demonstration began.
He claimed they attacked customers and shareholders taking part in the protest.
Manik also alleged that law enforcement personnel failed to take effective action to prevent the attack despite being present at the scene.
Instead, he said, police members dragged away some participants of the forum.
However, police gave a different account of the incident.
A Motijheel Police Station officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no clash had taken place in front of the Islami Bank head office.
“There was some tension in the area in the morning. Later, one side moved towards Shapla Chattar and took position there,” he said.
The officer said police were present and no clash occurred between the two sides in their presence.
He also said he was unaware of any injuries resulting from a clash and that neither side had filed a complaint with the police station as of Monday.
The allegations made by the customers’ forum could not be independently verified, while comments from the former employees or others on the opposing side were not immediately available.
The latest confrontation comes amid continuing demands from customers and other stakeholders for changes in the bank’s governance and management, particularly over alleged irregularities linked to its previous administration.
