|| Special Correspondent: Police launched a violent crackdown on thousands of Islamic Bank Bangladesh PLC customers and shareholders staging a peaceful human chain in Motijheel on Monday morning, leaving around 50 people shot and over 100 injured, organizers claimed.The demonstration began at 9:30 AM in front of Islamic Bank Tower, protesting the alleged rehabilitation of S Alam Group loyalists and the appointment of Khurshid Alam, described as an “Awami League associate,” as Chairman without a board meeting. Protesters were demanding reversal of the appointment and reinstatement of Managing Director Omar Faruk Khan.Police use tear gas, water cannon, baton charge: According to eyewitnesses at the spot, despite the bank’s operations scheduled to start at 10:00 AM, a large police contingent had taken up positions since morning with water cannons and APCs. As soon as the peaceful human chain started, police fired tear gas shells, water cannons and sound grenades and carried out indiscriminate baton charges. The assault dispersed the protesters. About 50 people were reportedly shot and over 100 customers and shareholders were injured. The injured were taken to various hospitals in the capital and are undergoing treatment.Ignoring police obstruction, thousands of shareholders and customers regrouped later and continued their sit-in in front of Islamic Bank Tower. At the time of filing this report, police and protesters were facing off in front of the tower.Protesters allege forced removal of MD, illegal appointment: Prof. Nur Nabi Manik, President of Islami Bank Victimized Customers Coordination Council, said the government forced Chairman and MD Omar Faruk Khan to resign on May 24. On the same day, Bangladesh Bank issued a notification appointing Khurshid Alam, a former Deputy Governor removed during the Awami League regime, as Chairman of Islamic Bank.“Since Feb 12, after the national election, a section of the government has been trying to rehabilitate the fallen Awami associate S Alam Group in Islami Bank,” Manik alleged. He said shareholders and customers held human chains in front of every branch on May 24, but the government’s interference continues.Manik claimed Islami Bank is facing a liquidity crisis. “There is no money in the bank. Customers cannot withdraw money even with checks, and ATMs have no cash.”Demands: From the Coordination Council, he demanded immediate removal of S Alam Group successors from Islami Bank, cancellation of Khurshid Alam’s appointment as Chairman, and handing over control of the bank to its original founders and owners.The police did not issue an official statement on the casualties or use of force at the time of filing this report.