60 held over vandalism, looting of businesses during pro-Gaza protests across Bangladesh
Some 31 have been arrested in Khulna, 14 in Sylhet, and four in Gazipur while one detained in Chattogram, but no arrests in Cumilla or Barishal yet
The police have arrested or detained at least 60 people over vandalism and looting of shops and businesses in several districts across the country during pro-Gaza protests yesterday (7 April).
Protest rallies were brought out in different areas of the country to express solidarity with the Global Strike for Gaza yesterday morning. However, the protests turned violent when mobs started attacking various shops and businesses, including outlets of Bata and fast food restaurant chains KFC and Domino's Pizza, in Sylhet, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and Cumilla, among other areas, over their alleged ties to Israel.
At least 31 were held in Khulna, 14 in Sylhet, four in Gazipur, four in Cumilla, one in Cox's Bazar and one in Chattogram.
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However, there were no reports of arrests in other areas despite vandalism and looting taking place in Barishal and a few other areas.
Among the vandalised shops were a Puma store and a KFC branch in Chattogram. No looting took place at the Puma store as the shutters were drawn but the outside of the shop and its signboard were damaged.
One person has been detained for his suspected involvement in the vandalism during protests, confirmed Chittagong Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahmuda Begum.
She said, "He will be shown arrested if found guilty through proper investigation."
In Khulna, the arrests were made after analysing video footage and CCTV footage, said Khulna Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib.
Legal action is underway against them, he said, adding that the police are working to identify and arrest others involved in the incident.
The police have handed over 31 people arrested in this incident to the court under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sonadanga Model Police Station Shafiqul Islam said around 6pm this evening.
No case has been filed yet, he said, adding that the managers of the three establishments that were vandalised went to the police station. However, they did not file any complaint as they did not get permission from the head office.
Tawhidul Islam, manager of the Bata showroom at Shibbari intersection in Khulna, said, "Our decision will come after the evening. Then we will be able to inform about the case."
Similarly, KFC Branch Manager Sujan Mondal and Domino's Pizza Manager Md Alamin also said they were waiting for the decision of the head office.
In Gazipur, four individuals — Siam Khan (Onik), Shimul Ahmed Shawon, Shaheen, and Joynal Abedin — were arrested in a joint operation by the army and police for vandalising signboards of several businesses, including Tripti Hotel, Radhuni Hotel, and a Bata outlet, after a protest rally in Gazipur.
The protest, organised in solidarity with Palestinians, ended peacefully, but a group later damaged signboards displaying "Israeli" products, said locals.
Meanwhile, in Sylhet, a case has been filed by KFC against unknown persons in this incident. The arrested will be presented in court in this case, said Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Rezaul Karim.
In addition, the police have recovered several pairs of shoes looted from the Bata showroom. They were recovered based on an advertisement for selling shoes on Facebook, he added.
"Shoes looted from Bata were being sold on Facebook. We traced the post and arrested one individual from the Teroratan area and recovered multiple pairs of shoes from his home," said Ziaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.
Efforts are underway to arrest the rest after analysing the video footage, said police.
Four arrested in Cumilla
Comilla Kotwali Model Police Station has arrested four people in connection with the vandalism at KFC in the district yesterday.
Two of the arrested are Safayet Majumder, 27, a resident of Matiar village in Sadar Dakshin upazila, Md Jihad Hossain, 21, a resident of Kaptan Bazar area of the city, Abu Bakr Siddique, 21, a resident of Shashangacha area, and Abid Hossain.
Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohinul Islam said that Kotwali Police Station and Detective Branch Police jointly conducted a drive and arrested four people in connection with the attack on KFC.
They will be sent to court after taking legal action against them. A drive is underway to arrest the other accused.
He said the arrestees are not affiliated with any political parties.
Mohammad Rakibul Islam, in-charge (inspector) of Kandirpar outpost, said an attack took place at Ranirbazar KFC on the evening after the pro-Gaza protest yesterday.
The police filed a case over the incident against five named people and 30-32 unknown people.
"After looking at the CCTV footage, four people were arrested in a raid on Tuesday afternoon," he said
One arrested in Cox's Bazar
One person has been arrested after a case was filed with Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station over yesterday's incidents of vandalism and looting.
Panshi Restaurant owner Nurul Alam Chowdhury filed the case today as the plaintiff, against 300 unnamed people, Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ilias Khan confirmed.
Javed Iqbal, general secretary of the Cox's Bazar Restaurant Owners' Association, said KFC, Pizza Hut, as well as Kachha Lanka, Panshi Restaurant and Marine Food Restaurant were vandalised on the pretext of storing Israeli products. Several tourists were injured due to the glasses which were broken by vandals. In addition, all signboards from Kalatoli intersection to the tourist zone were vandalised.
Govt condemns attacks
Meanwhile, an official statement, posted on the verified Facebook page of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus this morning (8 April), said, "Bangladesh police have swiftly moved to take action over the violent and unlawful events that unfolded during the Pro-Gaza protests in several cities on Monday.
"These attacks and acts of vandalism are an affront to public safety and the rule of law."
"The police have acted swiftly, and two cases have been formally filed. Further investigations are underway, and additional cases are in the process of being filed against those responsible for these reprehensible acts," read the statement.
In a determined effort to bring those accountable to justice, police conducted raids last night targeting the perpetrators, it said. "Additionally, our law enforcement agencies are diligently reviewing video footage captured during the protests to identify more individuals involved.
"These operations will continue until all those responsible for this violence and destruction are apprehended."
"We urge anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to come forward. Together, we can ensure that those who seek to undermine the peace and stability of our society are held accountable," said the government.
Hours after the vandalism and looting yesterday, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam instructed police officers to arrest the individuals responsible for vandalising shops and businesses in Sylhet and several other cities across the country during the countrywide protest programmes in solidarity with the global strike against the Israeli attacks on Palestine.
"We have video footage of the attackers. They are being identified and will be arrested immediately. Police teams are currently working on this," said Baharul in a statement.
"The government does not impede any lawful protests. However, we will not tolerate any criminal acts under the guise of protest," he added.
In this regard, Bida Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun also made a statement, condemning the incidents.
"At a time when we are hosting a summit to showcase Bangladesh as an investment destination, it is unfortunate to see our countrymen setting such deplorable examples," he said.
