6 injured with gunshots as S Alam Group men try to enter Islami Bank

At least three private banks were rocked by unrest on Sunday, with protesters demanding the removal of directors whom they accused of corruption and illicit recruitment practices and allegedly taking out thousands of crores of taka in loans, many under anonymous accounts.

The most intense confrontation took place between two factions of Islami Bank officials, resulting in violent clashes that left at least six people injured by gunfire outside the bank's main office in Dhaka's Dilkusha area.

Among the injured are Shafiullah, Abdullah Al Mamun, Abdur Rahman, and Bakibillah, while identities of two others could not be known immediately. All six are currently receiving treatment at Islami Bank Central Hospital.

This latest confrontation follows the downfall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August. There are widespread allegations that certain individuals looted the banking industry over the past 15 years in collusion with government and central bank officials. Among those, S Alam Group is accused of using political influence to take control of Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank in 2017.

Just a day after the fall of the Hasina government, aggrieved bankers at Islami Bank barred officials appointed by S Alam Group from entering the bank premises. Protests continued on 7 and 8 August, leading to the removal of these S Alam-appointed officials from the bank once again.

In response to the situation, Shaukat Ali, senior vice president of Islami Bank, said they came to know that S Alam's associates, who have infiltrated various companies and banks, were attempting to place their own people in the bank, which has already been looted.

"To prevent this, we stationed ourselves in front of the bank. At one point, S Alam's people gathered at City Center and attempted to enter the main office. When the bank officials tried to resist, S Alam Group's men opened fire, injuring six. They are in a critical condition. The protesting bankers managed to repel the attackers, who then fled," he said.

Bank officials are now demanding a restructuring of Islami Bank's board to remove those they accuse of looting the bank. They are also calling for the expulsion of officials appointed by S Alam, including Managing Director Monirul Mowla, Additional Managing Director Kawsar Ali, and Deputy Managing Directors Akij Uddin, Miftah Uddin, and others.

IFIC Bank staff rally against Salman F Rahman, Beximco directors

Employees of IFIC Bank staged a major protest yesterday, demanding the resignation of the bank's Chairman Salman F Rahman and all Beximco-affiliated directors, including his son.

The protesters also called for the reinstatement of employees who were allegedly dismissed unlawfully during the tenure of former Managing Director Shah A Sorowar. The demonstration took place at the bank's headquarters, with around 200 officials and employees participating.

The protesters accused Salman F Rahman of embezzling billions of taka from the bank, while alleging that Shah A Sorowar had created an environment of mental pressure, forcing many staff to resign.

The demonstrators presented a nine-point demand, including immediate reinstatement of employees who were forced to resign. They also called for promotions, increments, and the clearing of all dues for those who have already retired. Also, they demanded that former MD (now adviser) Shah A Sorowar and his associates, accused of corruption, be dismissed and brought to justice.

Shareholders demand S Alam Group's exit from SIBL

Shareholders of Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL) formed a human chain demanding the bank be freed from S Alam Group's control.

At a press conference following the protest in front of the National Press Club, they alleged that S Alam Group Chairman Saiful Alam Masud and his associates have siphoned off thousands of crores of depositors' money, using both their own and others' names.

They claimed that this has put not just SIBL, but the entire banking sector, at risk, with ordinary depositors now struggling to withdraw their funds.

The human chain and press conference were attended by former bank chairman Rezaul Haque, former directors Anisul Haque, Asaduzzaman, Sultan Mahmud Chowdhury, Abdur Rahman, and Abul Bashar Bhuiyan, along with other sponsor shareholders.

It was reported that in 2017, S Alam Group, backed by the then ruling Awami League, forcibly took control of SIBL.

The current chairman, Belal Ahmed, is Saiful Alam Masud's son-in-law. During the ownership change, several original sponsors and directors were unlawfully ousted.

Since then, large sums of money have allegedly been withdrawn under various names, and preferential hiring practices have favored residents of Patiya, Chattogram, leading to a financial crisis within the bank.

What finance adviser says

Finance and Planning Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday spoke on recent attacks on banks, including Islami Bank, and assured that action will be taken against those responsible.

"I am aware that some people are attacking banks, including Islami Bank, and we will take action," he said during an introductory meeting with Finance Division officials at the finance ministry on Sunday.

"We will be discussing the situation with law enforcement agencies to ensure necessary actions are taken," he added.