5 more arrested in Khulna over vandalism during pro-Gaza protests, looted shoes recovered
Three cases have been filed in this regard against 2,900 unidentified people
Five more people have been arrested in Khulna over vandalising and looting businesses during pro-Gaza protests in solidarity with the Global Strike on Monday (7 April).
"As of this morning [9 April], police have held 36 suspects, including five new arrestees," Sonadanga Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiqul Islam told The Business Standard.
"Also, three cases were filed against 2,900 unidentified people with the police station over attacking, vandalising and looting Bata showroom, KFC and Domino's Pizza in the city," he said.
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The OC further said the identities of several suspects were determined using CCTV footage and protest videos. "We recovered three pairs of shoes and one ladies' handbag from the newly arrested individuals, which were looted from Bata."
"In response to the violence and growing concern among local business owners, Khulna Metropolitan Police [KMP] launched a special crackdown operation to apprehend others involved," the officer added.
During a pro-Gaza protest on Monday evening, a group of miscreants launched violent attacks and looted the KFC food court located on KDA Avenue in Moylapota and the Bata showroom on the ground floor of Hotel Tiger Garden at Shibbari intersection.
The attackers caused significant damage to furniture and electronics inside the KFC outlet and looted several items, including shoes, from the Bata store.
Deputy Commissioner of KMP's South Zone, Md Abu Tarek, acknowledged that law enforcement failed to stop the sudden attacks. "We didn't have sufficient manpower in that area when the violence broke out. The attackers launched a surprise assault, and we couldn't disperse them in time."
Among the three cases, Towhidul Islam, manager of Bata showroom at the City's Shibbari intersection, filed a case last night against 1,200-1,300 unidentified criminals as plaintiff.
Besides, Sujon Mondal and Shamsul Alam, managers of KFC and Domino's Pizza at the City's Dalmil intersection, filed two different cases with the same police station against 700-800 unidentified people as plaintiffs.
According to the case documents, the plaintiffs stated the attackers targeted their outlets during a procession that paraded along KDA Avenue on Monday evening. The procession followed a rally held at the Shibbari intersection in response to a global strike on 7 April, expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza.
They also reported that the attackers vandalised and looted wealth worth over Tk1 crore, including shoes, cades, beverages and valuable goods.
