Md. Naim Hasan Emon, Rajapur (Jhalokathi) 

In Rajapur Upazila of Jhalokathi, three owners of a private NGO named Grameen Bangla Savings and Loan Cooperative Society have allegedly embezzled approximately Tk 12 crore of clients’ money and gone into hiding. 

In protest, enraged depositors organized a human chain and demonstration in front of the NGO's office in Uttampur on Saturday  afternoon.

Established about 12 years ago, the cooperative had over 600 clients who had been regularly depositing funds as fixed deposits. Allegations state that the three directors—Saiful Islam Swapon, Farid Hossain, and Sojal—recently disappeared without any prior notice, leaving depositors anxious about the security of their savings.

Victims including Farzana Usnat Jahan Usha, Md. Dulal, Golam Mawla, Md. Nanna Howlader, Md. Rubel Hossain, Md. Ayub Ali, and Kursia expressed deep concern over their hard-earned money now being in jeopardy due to the disappearance of the NGO management.

Field officer Mosammat Shahnaz stated that she had collected around Tk 1.5 crore from depositors by promising them a monthly profit of Tk 2,000 for every Tk 100,000 deposited.

Meanwhile, Obaidul Haque Noni, president of the cooperative and former UP member of Ward 4 under Baroiya Union, claimed that they are preparing to repay the principal amounts to clients. He explained that profit disbursement has been temporarily suspended and promised that all deposits would be repaid within two years.

Victims are calling for a fair investigation and immediate intervention from the authorities to ensure the safe return of their money.