Several branches of five recently merged banks in Chattogram’s Agrabad area were locked by depositors on Monday morning. Acting under the banner of the Depositors Association, hundreds of customers marched to the area and forced staff out of Exim Bank’s Agrabad branch before locking it. They later locked branches of Union Bank and First Security Islami Bank PLC as well. The protest began around 11 a.m. and ended at about 12:30 p.m., when police oversaw the reopening of the branches.

Depositors said they have been unable to withdraw money from these banks since the final period of the Awami League government. Despite having large deposits, even small cheques are not being cleared. They alleged that government funds supplied to repay depositors are being used for staff salaries instead. The interim government’s decision to merge weak banks has not improved the situation, according to protesters.

Police reported that extra forces were deployed in Agrabad ahead of the pre-announced protest and that the situation is now normal.