Bangladesh Bank has said that there is no possibility of removing the newly appointed chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh, Md Khurshid Alam, from his post.
The institution also clarified that the central bank will not change its decision due to the ongoing movement or protest program.
In a response on Monday (June 1), Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and executive director Arif Hossain Khan said that the appointment of the chairman has nothing to do with the movement.
“If Bangladesh Bank takes a decision today due to a movement, then what will happen if another party later protests against that decision? Bangladesh Bank will continue according to its own policies and procedures. There is no possibility of changing the central bank’s decision through the movement.”
Earlier, a group of customers and supporters under the banner of ‘Islami Bank Customers Forum’ held a protest and human chain program in front of the head office of Islami Bank since Monday morning demanding the cancellation of the appointment of new chairman Khurshid Alam.
Later, the police dispersed the protesters to bring the situation under control.
According to eyewitnesses, baton charges, water cannons, tear gas and sound grenades were used during the protest.
Protesters claimed that many people were injured, including some who were shot.
However, the exact number of injured could not be immediately confirmed.
On the night of May 24, Bangladesh Bank appointed former deputy governor Md Khurshid Alam as chairman of Islami Bank.
On the same day, the chairman appointed during the interim government's tenure, M Zubaidur Rahman, resigned in the face of a group of individuals protesting against some customers and officials of the bank.
In addition, the bank's managing director (MD) is currently on a long leave.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned and protested against the police's use of force on the protesting customers.
Party secretary general Miah Golam Parwar said in a statement that the ordinary customers of Islami Bank were peacefully observing the sit-in program. But the police used force on them without any provocation.
He said that the incident of baton charges, tear gas and water cannons on the customers is sad and condemnable. At the same time, he supported the demands raised by the protesters.
According to the central bank, the decision to appoint the chairman will remain in place and there is no scope for reconsideration in this regard.
