Customers' forum again stages protest, demands resignation of Islami Bank board
Participants, identifying themselves as members of the Conscious Customers Forum, gathered in front of the building and called for the entire board to step down without delay.
Members of a customers' advocacy group continued their demonstration for a second consecutive day in front of the head office of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, demanding the immediate resignation of all members of the bank's board of directors.
The protest was held this morning (2 June) outside the bank's headquarters in Dilkusha, Dhaka.
Participants, identifying themselves as members of the "Islami Bank Sacheton Grahok Customers Forum", gathered in front of the building and called for the entire board to step down without delay.
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The protesters demanded the immediate removal of newly appointed chairman Md Khurshid Alam, the reinstatement of former managing director Omar Faruk Khan, the appointment of a qualified Bangladesh Bank governor, or the resignation of the incumbent governor, a ban on dismissed former employees from entering Islami Bank premises, and pledged to launch a continuous protest programme if their demands remained unmet.
Customer representatives alleged that Khurshid Alam was associated with the controversial S Alam Group and claimed his appointment could expose the bank to renewed financial irregularities.
During the protest yesterday (1 June), police used water cannons, sound grenades, tear gas, and baton charges to disperse demonstrators. Chases and counter-chases were also reported in the area.
The protests come after a change in the bank's leadership. On the last working day before the Eid holiday, Islami Bank Chairman M Zubaidur Rahman resigned on 24 May. Later that night, former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Md Khurshid Alam was appointed as the bank's new chairman.
Khurshid was scheduled to join Islami Bank yesterday. He resigned from the Bangladesh Bank following protests by central bank officials after the political changeover on 5 August 2024.
Bank officials said programmes were held in different parts of the country during the Eid holidays under the banner of the "Islami Bank Customers Forum" to protest the appointment. As part of the movement, protesters gathered outside the bank's headquarters before office hours yesterday.
Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC held a virtual board meeting on Monday night (1 June), chaired by its newly appointed Chairman Khurshid Alam, whose resignation was demanded by protesting customers throughout the day.
Confirming the development, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan said five board members participated in the meeting virtually.
