Dhaka, Jun 01 (V7N) – Police on Monday dispersed a protest by customers demanding the resignation of the newly appointed chairman of Islami Bank, using baton charges, water cannons and tear gas in front of the bank's head office in the capital.
The incident occurred in the morning when members of the Islami Bank Customer Forum gathered outside the bank's headquarters carrying banners and festoons. The protesters chanted slogans and staged a demonstration, calling for the resignation of the newly appointed chairman.
According to eyewitnesses, police moved to clear the protesters from the area around 9:30 am. Tensions later escalated between the two sides, prompting law enforcement officers to launch a baton charge.
As the situation became increasingly tense, police also used water cannons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators. The action created panic in the surrounding area, causing many people to leave the scene.
Although the protesters initially dispersed, several groups later attempted to regroup near the bank's head office and continue their demonstration.
The protesters alleged that their program had been peaceful and claimed that police resorted to force without any provocation.
The demonstration followed recent changes in the bank's leadership. On the final working day before the Eid holidays, Islami Bank Chairman M. Zubaidur Rahman, an independent director appointed by Bangladesh Bank, resigned from his position.
Later that same day, former Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Md. Khurshid Alam was appointed as the new chairman of the bank.
No immediate reports of casualties or arrests were available following the incident.
END/SMA/AJ
