A peculiar and troubling incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon (9 December) in the quiet village of Fullashree, located in Bakal Union under the Agoiljhara upazila of Barishal. What began as a routine collection visit by a local NGO worker turned into an episode that has sparked widespread criticism regarding the conduct and accountability of microfinance institutions.
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Loan Details and Dispute
The victim, Hafiza Khanam, is a registered member of the microfinance organisation TMSS. Earlier this year, she took out a loan of 60,000 Bangladeshi Taka, agreeing to repay the amount through weekly instalments. For months, Hafiza had been paying 1,250 Taka per week consistently and without incident.
On Tuesday afternoon, TMSS field officer Firoz Khan arrived at Hafiza’s residence to collect the weekly instalment. Hafiza reportedly asked for a brief extension due to temporary financial difficulty. Instead of granting her the requested time, the field officer made an unexpected demand: he insisted on taking one of her Chinahan (Chinese breed) ducks as a substitute for the payment. When Hafiza refused, he allegedly seized one of the ducks from her courtyard and left.
Loan and Repayment Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Borrower | Hafiza Khanam |
| NGO | TMSS |
| Loan Amount | 60,000 BDT |
| Weekly Instalment | 1,250 BDT |
| Incident Date | 9 December |
| Field Officer Involved | Firoz Khan |
| Item Seized | One Chinese duck |
| Reason for Seizure | Borrower requested time extension for instalment |
Reactions from Officials
When questioned, the accused field officer Firoz Khan defended his actions, claiming that the duck had been “taken at an agreed value in lieu of the instalment.” His statement was later echoed by TMSS manager Md. Rojek Islam, who insisted that “setting a value and collecting a duck instead of cash does not constitute wrongdoing.”
However, local oversight authorities strongly disagreed.
Kajal Das Gupta, President of the Upazila NGO Coordination Council, stated firmly:
“There is no legal basis for collecting any household belongings from a borrower as an alternative to instalment payment.”
Backing this stance, Tapan Biswas, the Upazila Social Services Officer, declared the act illegal, further noting that TMSS does not even fall under his office’s jurisdiction.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the practices of certain microfinance institutions, particularly in rural Bangladesh, where borrowers are often economically vulnerable. The forceful collection of property — especially livestock essential for livelihood — raises serious questions about ethical standards and the need for stronger regulation.
For Hafiza and others like her, the hope remains that authorities will intervene to ensure fairness, dignity, and lawful conduct in the microfinance sector.