At least 25 people were reportedly injured as two groups clashed outside Islami Bank Bangladesh’s headquarters in Motijheel on Monday during a demonstration demanding changes to the bank’s board and an end to alleged interference by S Alam Group.
The violence, involving scuffles and a chase and counter-chase, erupted in front of Islami Bank Tower as the Islami Bank Conscious Customers’ Forum gathered for a protest over the bank’s governance.
Among those injured was businessman Motasim Billah, vice-president of the forum. The organization said the injured were taken to different hospitals in Dhaka for treatment.
Eyewitnesses said an altercation broke out between two groups over the scheduled demonstration and quickly escalated into pushing and scuffling before both sides chased each other.
The forum later held a press conference at the scene, alleging that former Islami Bank employees dismissed over alleged irregularities in recruitment and people linked to S Alam Group had gathered there before its program began.
Professor Nur Nabi Manik, president of the forum, alleged that the group attacked customers and shareholders as the demonstration got underway.
He claimed at least 25 forum members were injured.
Manik also alleged that forum members were forcibly removed in the presence of police but that law enforcers failed to take effective action.
He presented photographs and video footage to journalists in support of the forum’s account.
No immediate comment was available from the former employees or others accused by the forum, and their role in the violence could not be independently verified.
Protest over bank governance
The forum said Monday’s demonstration was called to demand the appointment of “honest, competent and professional” individuals to Islami Bank’s board of directors and to oppose what it described as continued “sinister interference” by S Alam Group.
Manik said the forum had been campaigning peacefully around a seven-point set of demands intended to safeguard the deposits of Islami Bank’s approximately 30 million customers.
“The Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum is an apolitical organization. We have been campaigning through systematic and peaceful means, pressing for a seven-point list of demands aimed at ensuring the security of deposits belonging to Islami Bank’s approximately 30 million customers,” he said.
“But today’s attack cannot be dismissed as a minor incident.”
He alleged that the incident indicated the continued influence of S Alam Group.
At the press conference, forum leaders further alleged that some people previously dismissed from the bank over recruitment irregularities, as well as leaders and activists associated with the Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League, were involved in the attack.
The allegations could not immediately be independently verified, while those accused were unavailable for comment.
Arrests demanded
The forum demanded that authorities identify those responsible by examining CCTV footage from the area as well as videos recorded by journalists and others during the clash.
It called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those found responsible.
The forum said its demonstrations would continue until its demands concerning deposit security and good governance at Islami Bank were addressed.