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A clash broke out between two groups outside Islami Bank Tower in Motijheel, Dhaka, on Monday morning, leaving several people injured, including businessman and Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum Vice-President Motasim Billah.
The incident took place during a protest organised by the Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum demanding the appointment of honest, qualified and professional people to the bank’s board and protesting alleged intervention by S Alam, whose name has been linked to allegations of looting the bank.
Witnesses said the two groups initially engaged in a verbal altercation outside Islami Bank Tower in the morning. The confrontation later escalated into pushing and physical assaults, followed by a chase between the groups. Several people were injured in the ensuing clash.
Professor Nur Nabi Manik, president of the forum, alleged that former Islami Bank officials and employees who had been dismissed over alleged irregular recruitment, along with followers of S Alam, had gathered at the site before the programme began.
He alleged that they attacked customers and shareholders when the protest started.
According to Manik, at least 25 forum members were injured in the attack and were later taken to different hospitals in Dhaka.
He further alleged that police failed to take effective action to stop the attack, despite being present at the scene. He also showed journalists photographs and video footage of the incident.
The Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum has scheduled a press conference outside Islami Bank Tower at 11:30am on Monday to provide details of the incident.
The former bank officials and employees or other parties accused of involvement in the clash could not be reached immediately for comment.