Two unauthorized cooperative organizations in Araihazar and Sadar upazilas of Narayanganj disappeared with deposit money worth Tk 45 crore, closing their offices.
‘Sommilito Sanchay Tohobil’ (Combined Savings Fund), which had office in Bowbazar area of Sadar upazila took away Tk 15 crore from 3,000 depositors while ‘Gonoprottasha’ (People’s Expectation), which had office in Kalapaharia area of Araihazar upazila, misappropriated Tk 30 crore from 2100 depositors.
According to victims and police, one Ramzan Ali opened a cooperative organization at Bowbazar area ten years ago and collected money by alluring people of high interest against their DPS and FDR savings.
Later, people began depositing money ranging between Tk 3,000 and Tk 30,000 a month.
October 30, Ramzan left his office putting it under lock and key. When the information spread, depositors began demonstrating and informed police. Selina Akter, who deposited Tk 9 lakh, said this organization had been running for almost twelve years and earned credibility. “We didn’t know it was a fake organization”, she lamented.
Some 15 days ago, key person of another organisation ‘Gonoprottasha’ went into hiding with Tk 30 crore of 2100 depositors’ money in Kalapaharia area of Araihazar upazila.
One Sufia Begum operated the organization, which started ten years ago. When the depositors found the office locked, they demonstrated and informed the Araihazar police and local Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahida Nasrin.
Officer-In-Charge of Araihazar police station Nazrul Islam said that they received a complaint and asked the sufferers to file a case with the court.
When contacted, District Cooperative Officer Mohammad Imran Habib said it falls out of their jurisdiction if organisations are unregistered.
“We can take steps against the registered cooperatives,” he added.
