Members of the Sammilito Islami Bank Affected Depositors Association protested at the Halishahar zonal office of First Security Islami Bank in Chattogram today (24 August), demanding the return of their deposits.
Around 100-150 affected depositors from different parts of Chattogram joined the protest, organised by the association’s Chattogram committee.
The protesters alleged that they had been unable to withdraw their savings for a prolonged period and accused bank officials of non-cooperation.
They also demanded the issuance of a gazette notification to implement the government’s announced cancellation of the “haircut” on their deposits.
Speakers said representatives of the association had visited various bank branches across Chattogram over the past 10-15 days and found complaints of uncooperative behaviour from officials at almost every branch.
They said repeated approaches to the authorities had failed to produce an effective solution, prompting them to gather at the zonal office. Depositors from Keranihat, Maheshkhali, Patiya, Anwara and other areas also joined the protest.
The depositors said the prolonged blockage of their funds had caused severe financial hardship for many families, affecting their ability to meet medical and education expenses.
“We deposited our money, but today we are living in inhumane conditions. Some of us cannot afford our mothers’ medical treatment, while others cannot pay for their children’s education. What is our crime? Why are we not getting our money?” said Sharmin Akter, vice-president of the association’s Chattogram committee.
She also questioned how many more protests depositors would have to hold before receiving a solution.
The protesters said reserved-seat MP Rehana Akter had raised the issue in parliament, following which the finance minister announced the cancellation of the “haircut” on deposits.
However, nearly two months later, the gazette notification has yet to be issued, they alleged.
Following the protest, around 66 affected depositors received immediate solutions to their issues in coordination with the zonal office authorities, according to the association.
The authorities also assured the protesters that other urgent applications would be forwarded to the bank’s head office on a priority basis for quick resolution, the association said.
The depositors demanded the immediate return of their funds and issuance of the gazette notification on the cancellation of the haircut.
They warned of tougher programmes if effective measures were not taken to address their demands.
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