Md. Alamgir Hossen, Longadu (Rangamati)

A complaint has been lodged against Sonali Bank in Longadu of Rangamati for disbursing fake loans in the name of farmers and harassing them. Aggrieved farmers formed a human chain in front of the bank in protest.

In the human band held in front of the Sonali Bank office in Longadu upazila headquarters at 11 am on Sunday, the farmers said that around 2012 and 2013, some brokers including local Helal, Salim, Mishti Kalam, lured government grants from various villages of Bhasanyadam union of the upazila, and NID from simple poor farmersCollects photocopies and photographs of the card (National Identity Card).

After that, the bank took the signatures of these poor farmers on various loan documents. Which the illiterate poor peasants could not understand. Later, some farmers were sent away by the brokers with 500 or 1000 tk,s. In return, the unscrupulous bank officials and brokers take loans ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000 in the name of farmers.

Farmers affected by the human chain also said that we came to know about the loan about 10 to 11 years after the incident. Bank authorities recently issued a notice in our name. But the big proof of the fake loan in our name is that our NID card was forged. The name, date of birth, father's and mother's names mentioned in the card have been changed and the back address has been changed to Sonai area of Mainimukh Union. That is not our correct address. This is how everyone is cheated and trapped in debt.

Farmer Ain Uddin said, I got this fake loan list in the name of two hundred and eighteen people in our area. Those who have not taken this loan. Now the bank authorities are pressuring us to pay our debts in various ways. If relatives send money to someone's account, they deduct the loan amount from there. We want a fair solution and justice for those involved in this corruption.

Sonali Bank Longadu branch manager Abul Kashem asked about this, he said that it is not possible to say anything without the permission of higher authorities.

Longadu Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdul Barek Sarkar said, I am aware of the matter. Dishonest officials of the bank have done this financial irregularity with the help of brokers.

This debt burden cannot be repaid by the poor farmers. The higher authorities of the bank have been informed about this. I hope the authorities will do a proper investigation and find a solution to this.