Vehicular Movement Halted on Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway Amid Bank Officials' Protest

Strategic Insights -

Hundreds of bank officials staged a protest on Sunday in Patiya upazila, blocking the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway for four hours. The officials, demanding the reinstatement of 7,000 terminated employees from banks controlled by the S Alam Group, locked the main entrances of 20 banks in the area, halting operations at 45 banks. The protesters held a meeting at Patiya Ideal High School before marching onto the highway, where tensions rose when they attempted to stop the reopening of the National Bank branch at Patiya Police Station intersection. The local administration and law enforcement intervened to defuse the situation. The protesters claimed that the layoffs took place after the change in government in August 2024 and alleged that employees from several private banks were unfairly dismissed without prior notice.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 7,000 bank employees were terminated from banks controlled by the S Alam Group.
  • The terminated employees are mainly residents of Patiya upazila and have demanded reinstatement and compensation.
  • The protest involved bank officials from multiple S Alam Group-owned banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, Social Islami Bank Ltd, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and First Security Islami Bank.
  • The protesters claimed that the layoffs took place after August 5, 2024, and that employees were unfairly dismissed without prior notice.
  • The protest led to a blockade of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway for four hours, halting vehicular movement.
  • The local administration and law enforcement intervened to defuse the situation and prevent any untoward incidents.
  • The protesters have warned of tougher movements if their demands are not met soon.

Statistics:

  • 7,000 bank employees were terminated from banks controlled by the S Alam Group.
  • Vehicular movement on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway was halted for four hours.
  • 45 banks were affected by the protest, including First Security Bank, Islami Bank, Janata Bank, Sonali Bank, and Pubali Bank.
  • 20 bank entrances were locked by the protesters in Patiya upazila.
  • The protest was led by bank officials from multiple S Alam Group-owned banks.

Sources:

  • UNB (No author mentioned)