Tension flares again outside Islami Bank HQ as police use sound grenades, baton charge protesters

Fresh tensions erupted outside the headquarters of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC in Dhaka’s Motijheel this morning (1 June) as police dispersed protesting customers demanding the cancellation of the appointment of the bank’s new chairman.

Hundreds of customers, under the banner of the Conscious Customers Forum, formed a human chain in front of the Islami Bank Tower from early morning, calling for the resignation of newly appointed chairman Khurshid Alam.

During the protest, police used water cannons, sound grenades, tear gas, and baton charges to disperse demonstrators. Chases and counter-chases were also reported in the area. Many were reported injured. 

Speaking to The Business Standard, Hussein Muhammad Farabi, assistant commissioner of police of DMP’s Motijheel Zone, said, “Several hundred customers under the banner of the Islami Bank Customer Forum had been staying in front of the Islami Bank Tower since dawn. They were demanding that the bank’s new chairman not be allowed to join.”

“Their claim is that if this chairman joins, their deposits will be at risk. We requested them to leave, but they did not comply. Later, at around 9:15am, we used water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas shells to remove the protesters from the area,” he said.

Farabi added, “They have now moved from in front of the Islami Bank Tower and taken positions in nearby alleys. Police have cordoned off the area in front of the bank headquarters.”

The protesters alleged that newly appointed chairman Khurshid Alam is an associate of the S Alam Group and demanded that his appointment be cancelled.

Khurshid Alam, a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, was scheduled to join Islami Bank today. He resigned from Bangladesh Bank following protests by central bank officials after the political changeover on 5 August last year.