State Bank ‘Independent Director’ Resigns 5 Days After Protest

Coomarah Chengan has tendered his resignation as Independent Director of the State Bank of Mauritius (SBM). Having held this position for the past three years, his departure comes in the wake of a controversial decision by the government to reclaim land granted to the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust in Réduit.

Chengan, also the President of the Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation (MTTF) and a prominent figure in the Tamil community, reportedly submitted his resignation letter to the bank’s management on Tuesday, July 4, just five days after leading a peaceful protest against the government’s move.

When questioned by Radio Plus, Chengan cited personal reasons for his resignation, brandishing his commitment to defend the interests of the community and championing what he believes to be a “just and legitimate cause”.

However, according to Le Mauricien, Chengan was pressured to submit his resignation letter during a meeting at the SBM headquarters.

Members of the MTTF, along with representatives from the ‘Mouvement Rand Nou Later’ (Give our land back) and the civil society, took to the streets of Port Louis on June 30. They vehemently contested the government’s decision to reclaim the land allocated to the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust in Réduit. The government had offered an alternative location at Côte-d’Or/Hermitage.

Meanwhile, the Pope-Hennessy Police have initiated an investigation into potential violations of the conditions for holding the march.

Sources: Defi Media, Le Mauricien