A group of shareholders, customers, and traders of Islami Bank Bangladesh staged a protest march and rally in the capital demanding the resignation of its newly appointed chairman Md Khurshid Alam.
The program, organized under the banner of Islami Bank's “Conscious Customer Forum” on Wednesday (June 3), began in front of the Islami Bank Tower in Motijheel in the capital.
Later, the protest march circled the Dainik Bangla intersection and Paltan area and ended with a short rally in front of the National Press Club.
The organization said that their seven-point demands include the removal of Khurshid Alam from the post of chairman of Islami Bank, reinstatement of former managing director (MD) Omar Faruk Khan, not placing people involved in looting and irregularities on the bank's board, repealing Section 18(a) of the Bank Resolution Act, reconciling the money taken from the bank by selling the seized assets of S Alam Group, not giving S Alam Group the opportunity to influence any bank in the future, and ensuring justice for those involved in looting the banking sector.
Speakers at the rally alleged that the influence of S Alam Group in Islami Bank has not been completely eliminated and there are concerns among customers about the involvement of controversial people in the management of the bank.
Prof Nur Nabi Manik, convener of the Islami Bank Conscious Customer Forum, said at the rally that there are various questions about Khurshid Alam's appointment.
He claimed that there were irregularities and loan-related controversies against Khurshid Alam during his tenure as the former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank.
He further alleged that the process of providing benefits to S Alam Group from Islami Bank started immediately after he took charge as chairman.
However, no documentary evidence was presented in support of these allegations and the statements of the concerned parties were not immediately available.
Earlier on Monday, the organization claimed that the police stopped it from holding a human chain program in front of the head office of Islami Bank for the same demand.
They alleged that many customers and supporters were injured in clashes with law enforcement that day.
Later, a rally was held in front of the bank on Tuesday as well. The leaders of the organization said that Wednesday's protest march was held as part of a series of programs.
Speakers from the rally sought government intervention to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC.
They also demanded a speedy investigation and legal action against those involved in past irregularities and looting in the banking sector.
At the end of the program, the leaders of the organization announced that they would continue the movement to implement their seven-point demands.