Dhaka, Nov. 7 -- A group of stock market investors has demanded the resignation of Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur over the merger of five troubled banks, accusing the central bank of wiping out their investments and harming small shareholders.

Speaking at a press briefing after trading hours on Thursday in front of the old Dhaka Stock Exchange building in Motijheel, members of the Bangladesh Capital Market Investors' Unity Council issued a Saturday deadline for the governor to step down. They warned that they would lay siege to the central bank next Tuesday if he does not resign.

"We cannot accept this forced merger," said council president Mizanur Rashid Chowdhury. "These banks were listed with approval from the BSEC, and peop...