Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday alleged that Grameen Bank has forcefully occupied eight of his institutions housed in the Grameen Telecom building.

“We go through many kinds of calamities but I have never seen such a disaster that suddenly some people came from outside and told us to move away from our own offices,” he said.

Dr Yunus, the founder of the Grameen Bank, came up with the allegation at a press conference at the Grameen Telecom building in the city’s Mirpur area.

Despite seeking police intervention, he said that he has so far not got any cooperation from the law enforcers in this regard.

The noted economist said they have fallen into a dreadful situation as they constructed a beautiful building with the offices of their institutions, including Grameen Telecom, when they were with Grameen Bank, to work there peacefully.

“Suddenly, four days back (February 12), we saw outsiders were usurping our offices. We became outsiders to them. They are trying to run it according to their wish. I couldn't understand how this happened," he said.

Dr. Yunus said they informed the police about what happened and urged them to visit the spot and take necessary steps.

“But the police did not initially lodge the complaint. Then, they came to the spot, but they didn't find any problem. We told them (police) the usurpers were padlocking our offices and reopening those in the morning. That situation still persists."

Stating that some people staged a procession with brooms in front of their office, Dr. Yunus said he did not understand the reason behind it. “Have we suddenly reached a position where we deserve the brooms? We are at our own place. And we don't want to get involved in anyone else's trouble."

Dr. Yunus said the headquarters of all institutions they have established are in the same building. “Each institution housed in this building was set up with the profit of the business. Grameen Bank has no authority to interfere in these institutions. None of these establishments have been established with Grameen Bank's funds."

The eight institutions that have been reportedly padlocked are Grameen Telecom, Grameen Kalyan, Grameen Fisheries and Livestock Foundation, Grameen Agriculture Foundation, Grameen Samagrai, Grameen Fund, Grameen Shakti, and Grameen Communication.

Grameen Telecom's managing director Nazmul Islam, Grameen Kalyan's managing director AKM Mainuddin Chowdhury, and other officials from different institutions were present at the press conference.

The Grameen Telecom building is located at Mirpur National Zoo Road where there are 16 companies owned by Dr. Yunus.