A human chain was held in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Sunday, protesting what participants described as a renewed conspiracy involving Islami Bank PLC and alleged attempts to reinstate the controversial business conglomerate S Alam and its affiliates in the country’s banking sector.
The program was organized by Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum and held in front of Islami Bank Mawna Branch at Mawna Chourasta around 11:30 am.
Participants, carrying banners and placards, expressed concern over the current state of the bank. They called for an end to political interference, irregularities in management, and what they described as controversial recruitment practices within the institution.
The event was presided over by Dr Harunur Rashid, assistant professor at Piar Ali University College. Among others present were Professor Emdadul Haque of Muktijoddha Degree College in Bhabanipur, teacher Azizul Haque Master, Mostafizur Rahman, Mohammad Masum, Kabir Hossain Molla, and Moniruzzaman Sajeeb, along with local residents from various professions.
Speakers at the program said their demands were aimed at protecting the interests of millions of customers and depositors across the country. They called for measures to prevent what they termed the rehabilitation of “bank looters,” recovery of allegedly laundered and embezzled funds, swift legal action and trial against S Alam, and restoration of fair and lawful ownership of the institution.
They also demanded an end to the reinstatement of illegally appointed individuals, full security for customers’ deposits, repeal of what they described as controversial legal privileges, and comprehensive reforms in the banking sector.
Speakers further stressed that Islami Bank PLC does not belong to any individual or group, but is instead a trusted financial institution serving millions of customers, depositors, entrepreneurs, and remittance earners, and playing a vital role in the national economy.
They urged authorities to learn from past mistakes, strengthen governance, and ensure that the bank does not again fall under the control of any vested interest group, so that public confidence in the institution is restored and maintained.