IBB depositors' demo enters 3rd day

The protest by members of the Conscious Depositors' Forum against the appointment of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC Chairman Md Khurshid Alam entered its third consecutive day on Wednesday, with demonstrators vowing to remain on the streets until he steps down.

The protesters also called on Islami Bank officials and employees to observe a two-hour work stoppage on Thursday in solidarity with depositors and customers.

At a protest march in Dhaka's Dilkusha area, forum leaders rejected Bangladesh Bank's assertion that the movement was politically motivated and accused the central bank of attempting to discredit legitimate customer concerns.

Speaking before the march, Consumer Forum President Nur Nabi Manik demanded that the alleged 82 percent stake held by the S Alam Group in Islami Bank be sold to recover outstanding liabilities. 

He also called for the return of S Alam Group Chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam to face legal proceedings and for the recovery of allegedly laundered funds.

Manik declared that the forum would stage a sit-in outside Islami Bank Tower whenever Khurshid Alam attempts to assume office there.

"We will not accept him as chairman under any circumstances," he said, adding that no loan defaulter or individual facing criminal allegations should be allowed to serve on the bank's board.