Jamaat condemns police action on Islami Bank protesters, calls for accountability

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has strongly condemned police action against customers protesting in front of Islami Bank Bangladesh's head office in Dhaka's Motijheel.

In a statement issued today (1 June), he said, "We strongly condemn and protest the police firing on ordinary customers protesting in front of the head office of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC to protect the interests of the bank and demand the resignation of the newly appointed controversial chairman.

"We also express our full support for the customers' justified demands."

Porwar said law enforcement used excessive force, including baton-charges, tear gas, water cannons and gunfire, against what he described as a peaceful demonstration by customers under the banner of the "Islami Bank Sacheton Grahok Customers Forum."

He termed the incident "unjustified" and a serious violation of human rights, calling for immediate accountability and the identification of those responsible for the operation.

"Attacking a lawful and peaceful sit-in by depositors and customers is not the role of the police. This unwarranted use of force and repression by the police is highly condemnable and a gross violation of human rights," he said.

Porwar further said, "The customers' allegations are extremely serious and justified. The people of the country have not forgotten the unprecedented looting and destruction that were carried out in the banking sector, including Islami Bank, by a particular group in the past.

"Customers believe that the newly appointed chairman is an associate of Awami fascism. If he remains in this important position, the bank may once again face extensive looting, and the deposits of ordinary people will become insecure.

"Seeking the safety of one's hard-earned savings and speaking out to protect the bank are constitutional rights of every citizen."

The Jamaat leader further said, "We want to state clearly that banks operate on the deposits of the people. No bank can survive while ignoring the interests of its customers. Firing at ordinary customers to silence their voices is unacceptable under any circumstances.

"The police officers responsible for attacking Islami Bank customers must be identified immediately and held accountable."

"We call upon the relevant authorities and the bank management to immediately cancel the appointment of the illegally and politically appointed chairman in order to ease the anger and tension among millions of depositors and customers and restore a normal environment in the bank," Porwar added.

The reaction comes after tensions escalated in front of Islami Bank's head office in Dhaka's Motijheel earlier today, where hundreds of customers staged a protest demanding the cancellation of the newly appointed chairman's joining and changes in the bank's leadership.

Tense atmosphere outside Islami Bank HQ as standoff between protesters, police continues

Protesters, under the banner of the "Islami Bank Sacheton Grahok Customers Forum", gathered early in the morning, forming human chains and announcing five demands, including the removal of newly appointed chairman, Md Khurshid Alam, and other governance-related changes.

Law enforcement later dispersed the demonstrators using water cannons, tear gas and baton charges, as authorities said the gathering was moved from the main premises to nearby areas as the situation escalated.

According to protesters, several people were injured during the clashes, while police maintained that the action was taken after repeated attempts to disperse the crowd failed.