Police have charged a human-chain protest by Islami Bank customers demanding the resignation of the bank’s new chairman. The participants scattered under the police action, after which police carried out a baton charge and used water cannon and tear shells. More than 50 customers were reportedly injured.
The incident took place in front of Islami Bank’s head office in the capital’s Dilkusha around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. Customers first held a peaceful human chain, which police obstructed. Aggrieved customers then began gathering in front of the head office. At one point, police launched an operation to clear the protesters, carrying out a baton charge and using water cannon and tear shells to control the situation. Tension spread through the area and the protesters scattered.
The protesters said more than 50 customers were injured in the police chase and baton charge. One of the injured was reportedly being treated at Islami Bank Central Hospital.
The protesters alleged they were holding a peaceful programme. They fear that the appointment of the bank’s new chairman could lead to a repeat of the irregularities and controversies alleged in the past, which is why they were protesting.
Even after police cleared them, a section of the protesters again took position around the bank. Additional police were deployed in the area after the incident and security was tightened in the banking district.
Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC) Mohammad Harun or Rashid said: “We asked the protesters to leave from the morning, since the Islami Bank head office and other banks are located here. We explained it to them clearly. When they did not leave even after being told, we were forced to use force.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report