At least 20 banks in Patiya, Chittagong have been closed due to protests by some dismissed officials and employees from 6 private banks in the country. The aggrieved officials and employees have also blocked the ATM booths of all banks in Patiya. This has put people in trouble who come to get services at banks and ATM booths. The protest by the officials and employees began at 9 am today, Sunday.

The aggrieved officials and employees said that after the change of government in August last year, about seven thousand officials have been dismissed from private Islami Bank Limited, Social Islami Bank Limited, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank and First Security Islami Bank. Most of them are residents of Patiya Upazila of Chittagong. For several days, the dismissed employees have been protesting demanding their jobs back. As part of the protest, they have stopped all bank activities in Patiya today. They claim that they have been dismissed completely unfairly without notice and without any reason.

According to eyewitnesses, the dismissed officials and employees gathered at the Patiya Adarsh University grounds at 7 am to implement the pre-determined program. Later, from there, they took a position in front of all the bank branches in Patiya at around 9 am. Due to their obstruction, no bank officials and employees or service recipients could enter the banks. Among these banks, 6 are government and 14 are private. The program was going on till the time of writing this news at 11:30 am.

When asked, Janata Bank Patiya branch manager Nazim Uddin told that the pressure from customers is high today as the bank is closed on Friday and Saturday. Many customers are returning without getting service. Many are also calling them. However, they are unable to provide service due to the blockade by the protesters.

One of the protesters is Shiblu Alam. He was a cash officer at the Chuadanga branch of Social Islami Bank Limited. When asked, he that he was suddenly fired without any reason. He is helpless. He will continue the protest with others until he gets his job back.

Local residents have been suffering due to the sudden closure of the bank's operations. Today, around 11 am, we spoke to school teacher Abul Kalam in front of the Sonali Bank branch in Patiya Sadar. He told that he had come to the bank to withdraw his salary. However, he is unable to avail the service due to the closure. He needs urgent money. He does not know what to do.

When asked, Patiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Nuruzzaman said that the police are trying to resolve the issue by talking to the protesters. The protesters have been asked to open the bank and alleviate the suffering of the people.