Officials involved in Wednesday’s mob incident will face action: BB spokesperson

Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan has said that action will be taken against officials involved in yesterday's (25 February) mob incident at the central bank, during which an adviser of the former governor was removed from the premises.

"The new governor has said he will establish good governance at the bank. Officials involved in this 'mob culture' will face action in accordance with the human resources policy," he said, responding to a question during a press conference at the bank's headquarters in the capital's Motijheel today (26 February).

Arif added that to ensure institutional good governance, the decision-making process will be made fully rule-based and non-discriminatory.

He said the new governor, Md Mostaqur Rahman, has also spoken about decentralising authority to increase efficiency. "Responsibilities and decision-making powers will be expanded at different levels of officials."

Yesterday, several central bank officials formed a mob and forced Ahsan Ullah, adviser to now former governor Ahsan H Mansur, to leave the premises. The incident took place around 3pm in front of the governor's building.

At the time, Additional Director Touhidul Islam led efforts to push Ahsan Ullah into a vehicle, holding him by the neck.

Executive Director Sarwar Hossain, Director Naushad Mostafa, and Additional Director Tanvir were also present, along with around 30 officials.

The incident took place around the same time when the news of Mansur being replaced by Mostaqur started making rounds in the mass media.

The cancellation order of Mansur's contract came abruptly after some officials held a protest at the Bangladesh Bank premises yesterday over the transfer order of three officials accused of violating office rules.