Customers block road in Coxs Bazar after Al-Arafah Islami Bank agent branch officials vanish with 100 million taka
Photo Collected
UKHIYA, Cox’s Bazar — Hundreds of customers blocked the main road in Palongkhali on Saturday, demanding the recovery of at least 100 million BDT allegedly embezzled by employees of an Al-Arafah Islami Bank agent branch. The protest, which lasted for three hours, brought traffic between Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf to a complete standstill.
The unrest reached a peak when Mohammad Shahjahan, a local meat trader who had reportedly deposited his life savings of 900,000 BDT at the branch, collapsed during the demonstration due to extreme distress. Protesters held banners and chanted slogans demanding justice for the fraud and the immediate return of their deposits.
According to customers, the branch’s staff disappeared several days ago after repeatedly stalling withdrawal requests. Anwar Faisal Arif, a local businessman who lost 555,000 BDT, alleged that a criminal syndicate within the bank had systematically looted the savings of hundreds of account holders.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atiqur Rahman Majumder confirmed that the branch staff fled with an estimated 100 million BDT. On August 17, a case was filed against nine bank employees on behalf of 21 victims. Furthermore, five separate lawsuits have been lodged against the accused at the Cox’s Bazar court, with additional victims preparing to take legal action.
Authorities have already taken steps to address the crisis. On August 18, police arrested the branch agent, Hakim Uddin, and the cashier, Tahsin Islam. Both suspects are currently in custody, and law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives.
The Palongkhali branch, which had served the community for seven years, now remains shuttered. The keys have been handed over to the local market management committee for safekeeping.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter stated that the administration is aware of the massive financial fraud and is currently engaged in high-level discussions to determine how depositors might recover their funds. The road blockade was lifted at 5:00 p.m. after police promised a thorough investigation and swift prosecution of all involved parties.
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