Protesters interrupt Islami Bank MD's meeting with law enforcers
Board meeting could not be held amid protests demanding resignation of newly appointed chairman Khurshid Alam
Members of the Sachetan Grahak Forum intruded into the room of Islami Bank acting managing director Altaf Hossain while he was holding a meeting with members of law enforcement agencies at the bank's head office today (1 June).
The protesters alleged that attempts were being made to pressure the acting MD into holding a virtual board meeting in the presence of law enforcement officials.
Before entering the room, forum members claimed they saw several individuals in police uniform as well as some in plain clothes inside the office. However, they said the law enforcement personnel left before protesters and journalists entered the room.
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Around 3:30pm, members of the Sachetan Grahak Forum gathered in front of Altaf Hossain's office and alleged that the meeting was being conducted under pressure from law enforcement agencies.
They also compared the situation to the controversial 2017 change in control of Islami Bank, referring to allegations surrounding meetings held at the Westin hotel at the time.
Journalists waiting outside later entered the room and questioned the acting MD.
In response, Altaf Hossain said Bangladesh Bank had approved an online board meeting for today. However, he said it was not possible to hold the meeting at the office due to the ongoing customer protests.
A senior Islami Bank official told The Business Standard that there had been pressure to arrange the board meeting. The official also claimed an IT team had been sent to the chairman's residence to facilitate a virtual board meeting.
The board meeting was scheduled to begin at 2:30pm at the bank's head office. Although Bangladesh Bank approved a virtual board meeting, it had not taken place as of filing this report.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of customers under the banner of the "Sachetan Grahak Forum" gathered in front of the bank's head office and staged a human chain demanding the resignation of newly appointed chairman Khurshid Alam. They alleged that Khurshid, who was scheduled to formally join the bank today as chairman, is a close associate of controversial business conglomerate S Alam Group.
Later, police used batons, sound grenades, tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters, leaving several people injured.
