Dozens injured as sacked Islami Bank employees, consumer forum clash

Dozens of people were injured today after sacked employees recruited during S Alam Group's tenure clashed with members of the Sachetan Grahak Forum in front of Islami Bank Bangladesh's head office in Dhaka, with both sides blaming each other for the violence.

At around 7:30am, the sacked employees gathered outside the bank for the second consecutive day to demand reinstatement. Simultaneously, members of the consumer forum staged a demonstration at the site.

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The two groups then clashed and chased each other, witnesses said.

Shahidul Islam, one of the sacked employees, claimed 25 of their members were injured in the attack.

"We were standing in front of the bank for the second day demanding reinstatement. About 20 minutes after we arrived, members of the consumer forum attacked us. Police later removed us from the spot," he said.

He added that 20 to 25 injured employees had been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Countering the claim, Nuru-Un-Nabi Manik, president of Sachetan Grahak Forum, claimed around 30 of its members were injured, including five seriously.

He alleged the sacked employees had attacked forum members during a peaceful demonstration.

"Those recruited illegally have no connection with the bank. They are trying to create fresh instability at the bank," he said, alleging the attack was carried out under police protection.

The officer-in-charge of Motijheel Police Station could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.