Bank Depositors Hold Sit-in Protest in Chattogram; Demand Roadmap for Refunds

Customers of five banks currently undergoing mergers held a protest and sit-in program in Chattogram on Wednesday demanding the immediate return of their deposits.

Operating under the banner of the 'United Islamic Bank Depositors Association – Chattogram Division,' the protesters gathered in the New Market area around 10:00 AM. Tension rose as depositors attempted to march toward the Bangladesh Bank regional office, but they were redirected by police to the Alkaran intersection to maintain security near the central bank.

The Five Banks in Question

The protest involves depositors from Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank. Protesters claim these institutions hold approximately Tk 1.31 lakh crore in deposits from roughly 7.5 million customers.

Demands and Grievances

The association is protesting against the "haircut" (profit-cutting) policy and the continued suspension of normal transactions. Many reported being unable to withdraw funds for months.

Following the sit-in, a delegation submitted a memorandum to the Bangladesh Bank regional office with three core demands:

A clear, time-bound roadmap for deposit refunds.

An official withdrawal of a recent "derogatory" statement made by the central bank spokesperson.

A formal commitment to refrain from such comments against depositors in the future.

"The banks run on our money, yet we are being labeled as 'miscreants' when we ask for it back," said Abul Kalam Azad, president of the association.

Kotwali Police Station OC Aftab Uddin stated that police were deployed to ensure the security of the Central Bank. The protest follows an incident earlier this week where depositors locked nine branches of these banks in the Khatunganj and Agrabad commercial areas.