In Guwahati, members of the youth wing of Assam Jatiya Parishad, known as Jatiya Yuva Shakti (JYS), held a protest on Tuesday in front of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. They were raising concerns about alleged financial irregularities in the bank. This peaceful demonstration, known as a dharna, caught public attention due to the seriousness of the claims.
What Were the Protesters Demanding?
The protesters, led by JYS general secretary Chandrapal Baruah, demanded a high-level investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement. They called for strict action against those responsible, claiming that account holders’ money might be at risk due to improper handling of funds.
A Journalist Detained
During the protest, senior journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar, who works for the digital news platform The Cross Current, was covering the event when he was suddenly summoned to the Panbazar police station and detained by the police. No clear reason was provided for his detention.
Mozumdar, who is also the assistant general secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, shared on Facebook that he was called to the police station but had not been informed why. This raised concerns among fellow journalists and activists.
When contacted, a senior police officer declined to comment on the matter, further deepening the mystery.
Questions Raised During the Protest
While at the protest, Mozumdar had reportedly questioned the bank’s Managing Director (MD) about the financial irregularities. This interaction may have drawn additional attention to his presence there.
Support from Gauhati Press Club
The Gauhati Press Club strongly condemned Mozumdar’s detention and demanded his immediate release. They expressed concerns over the freedom of the press and the need for transparency in such situations.
Allegations Against the Bank
The protesters accused the Assam state government of ignoring corruption in the bank, despite what they claimed was clear evidence of financial misconduct.
One of the key allegations was that the bank had been operating without a valid contract with any IT vendor since June 2024. This lapse occurred after previous contracts had expired, raising fears about the bank’s operational stability and the safety of customer data.
Additionally, they pointed out a sharp increase in the cost of banking infrastructure projects. According to documents shared by JYS, the cost of these contracts rose from ₹28 crore in 2018 to almost ₹50 crore by 2025—a significant escalation that, they argued, seemed unjustified.
Government’s Response
Following the allegations, the Cooperation Department of the Assam government directed the Assam Registrar of Cooperative Societies to investigate the claims. They asked for a detailed report to be submitted within 15 days.
What the Protesters Say
JYS general secretary Baruah stated, “The financial future of account holders is at stake, yet the government remains silent. We demand an impartial probe and strict punishment for those who have betrayed public trust.”
Why This Matters
The incident has sparked concerns about the management of public money, the safety of banking operations, and press freedom in Assam. With an official investigation underway, many are hoping for a transparent resolution to these serious allegations.
