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Manikganj District Correspondent, April 27, 2025,
In a major financial scam, three Awami League leaders from Manikganj’s Singair Upazila have allegedly disappeared with hundreds of crores of taka in customer deposits collected through the Gram-Manobik Unnayan Khudra Samabay Samiti, a local NGO. The victims, many of whom have lost their life savings and properties, have been unable to recover their principal deposits or promised dividends despite years of efforts.
The scam has left countless customers from Jamsha, Jamirta, Charigram, Baldhara, Talebpur, and Joymontop unions in distress. Victims report facing harassment and humiliation when demanding their money, with no remedy despite repeated complaints. On Sunday, April 27, 2025, furious depositors organized a sit-in and human chain in Uttar Jamsha, Jamsha Union, and vandalized the residence of Amjad Hossain, the Union Awami League’s cultural affairs secretary and a key figure in the cooperative.
Established in 2001 under joint ownership, the cooperative was founded by Gazi Kamruzzaman, Jamsha Union chairman and Union Awami League general secretary; Amjad Hossain; Manik Mia Ujjwal, president of the Union Shramik League; and Habibullah, an Awami League leader who died years ago. The remaining three leaders have since managed the cooperative’s operations.
Victims shared devastating accounts of their losses. Fatema Akhtar (33), suffering from severe kidney complications, said her family sold livestock and farmland to fund her treatment, depositing 10 lakh taka in the cooperative three years ago. Despite her desperate pleas, she has received no funds, stalling her medical care. “They’ve taken everything. My family is ruined,” she lamented.
Selim Mia (30), a migrant worker, alleged the leaders laundered the funds to start businesses in Dubai, claiming the scam was premeditated. “They’ve used public money to enrich themselves without any losses,” he said. Sabina Begum (45) from Charigram, who deposited 10 lakh taka in 2006 and another 10 lakh in 2018, said the cooperative stopped paying dividends after her second deposit, causing family disputes.
The accused leaders could not be reached for comment. However, Mousumi Akter, wife of Gazi Kamruzzaman, said her husband acknowledged owing 8–9 crore taka to depositors, which he plans to repay gradually as profits come in from investments. She noted that Kamruzzaman has been in hiding due to political cases following Sheikh Hasina’s exit from power.
Farhana Ferdousi, the district cooperative officer, stated that cooperatives are not allowed to collect customer deposits. “If registered, they can only provide microloans to members. We will take action if complaints are filed,” she said.
The incident has triggered widespread anger in Manikganj, with victims demanding justice and the return of their money.
AI/MR
