Hundreds of depositors gathered at First Security Islami Bank’s Halishahar branch in Chittagong on Monday, protesting their inability to withdraw their own savings for urgent needs, with some breaking down in tears.
Police were deployed to prevent any untoward incident as the depositors staged the protest around noon. They left the branch after officials assured them that their money would be returned soon.
Md Alauddin, a depositor and finance secretary of the Sammilito Islami Bank Victims Depositors Association’s Chittagong chapter, broke down at the branch, saying his ailing mother needed urgent treatment but he could not withdraw his savings.
“I cannot afford my mother’s treatment. I am also a heart patient. I need my money immediately,” he said.
Association leaders said they had visited various branches across Chittagong over the past 10–15 days and found widespread complaints about difficulties in withdrawing money and accessing banking services.
During Monday’s protest, the association held talks with officials at the bank’s zonal office. The leaders later claimed that the problems of around 66 depositors were resolved immediately, while other urgent applications were sent to the head office on a priority basis.
Around 100–150 depositors from Keranihat, Maheshkhali, Patiya, Anwara and other areas joined the protest.
Depositors said they had been suffering for months as they could not access their savings when needed, particularly for medical treatment and other emergencies.
Association Vice-President Sharmin Akter demanded an immediate resolution to the crisis and restoration of normal banking services for depositors.
Meanwhile, a video of the protest at the Halishahar branch went viral on social media, showing several customers crying and shouting over their inability to withdraw money.
A female depositor was heard telling the branch manager, “You want to kill us. We want our money back.”
Another woman appealed to Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to intervene, saying she was a widow from Chittagong and needed her savings returned.
Another customer said she had visited the branch several times but failed to withdraw money. “I have come today to take my money. I am ready for anything. If necessary, I will die right here,” she said.
Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin, officer-in-charge of Halishahar Police Station, told Dhaka Tribune that police were deployed after receiving information about the protest.
“Many customers were crying and protesting to demand their deposited money. We sent police to prevent any untoward incident, and no such incident occurred,” he said.
