Tokens were distributed in exchange for three thousand taka, with promises that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of an interim government, would recover laundered money and provide interest-free loans ranging from one lakh to one crore taka. To avail of this, attendees were told to gather at a rally in Shahbagh, Dhaka. Even buses were arranged by the organizers to bring people to the event.
Under such promises, an Awami League leader brought thousands of helpless, poor men and women, including elderly individuals and children, to Shahbagh from various districts and sub-districts across the country. Local residents reported seeing at least fifty buses arriving with people by midday. The attendees were lured with promises of interest-free loans in exchange for money, and upon arrival, they were handed tokens. They were told that these tokens would grant them loans between one lakh and one crore taka without any interest. However, upon reaching Shahbagh, they found themselves in a predicament.
A passenger on a bus from Gopalganj shared that he received a token from a local Awami League leader in exchange for three thousand taka. The leader assured him that interest-free loans would be distributed in Shahbagh and even arranged the bus fare. However, upon arriving, the man found no one to assist him. The token he carried bore the name and phone number of someone called Mostafa Amin on the back. The front of the token read:
“A vicious group empowered by trillions of stolen funds has been looting the nation since independence. We will recover these stolen funds and provide interest-free capital. Farmers, laborers, street vendors, the unemployed, and all citizens taxed through VAT will receive this recovered money as investment. A rally will be held at Shahbagh at 10 AM on Monday, November 25, demanding the establishment of a national organization for corruption-free investment through a special anti-corruption law. This will provide interest-free loans ranging from one lakh to one crore taka to all classes of people interested in poverty alleviation. Join the rally.”
When contacted at the number on the token, ABM Mostafa Amin, the self-proclaimed convener of the “Nonviolent Mass Uprising Bangladesh,” stated that the program had been postponed.
Regarding this matter, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station stated that several individuals had been detained for questioning. Further details would be shared after verification and interrogation.
