Pro-Gaza protest violence: Ctg police begin filing cases on behalf of affected businesses

Police in Chattogram have started filing cases at four different stations over yesterday's incidents of vandalism and looting of shops and businesses during pro-Gaza protests which took place in several districts across the country.

Confirming the matter, Khulshi Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aftab Hossain said, "We requested the affected parties to file cases, but they refused. Therefore, the police will file the case on their behalf."

He also said signboards of several establishments, including Hotel Zaman, have been damaged. However, Pizza Hut was the most affected. 

Contacted, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahmuda Begum told The Business Standard that the protests were organised in the city's Khulshi, Chawkbazar, Panchlaish, and Kotwali police station areas. 

"Attacks occurred at establishments in these areas. We have urged the affected parties to take legal action. This is our top priority."

Detailing the extent of damage, Panchlaish Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Solaiman said, "The entire glass wall of KFC was vandalised. It was locked from inside, so no one could enter. Additionally, bricks and stones were thrown at Domino's Pizza. The police are in the process of filing a case on behalf of the affected parties."

Chawkbazar Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zahidul Kabir and Kotwali Police Station's Inspector (Investigation) Md Robel Afrad also confirmed that the police are filing cases on behalf of the victims. 

The OCs of the four police stations stated that they were working to bring those involved in the incidents under the law.

50 held over vandalism, looting of businesses during pro-Gaza protests across Bangladesh

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.

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.

Among the arrests, 31 were held in Khulna, 14 in Sylhet, and four in Gazipur while another person was detained in Chattogram.

One person has been detained for his suspected involvement in the vandalism during protests, CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahmuda said earlier.

She said, "He will be shown arrested if found guilty through proper investigation."

Meanwhile, the organisations that arranged the protests have demanded that the people involved in the incidents be brought to justice.

Zobairul Hasan Arif, joint chief organiser (southern region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), told TBS, "We have met with the police commissioner and the military officials with magistracy powers. We will provide the footage we have to the law enforcement agencies. We have demanded that those involved in the incidents be brought to justice. We will offer our full cooperation in this matter."

Mufti Mir Idris, central joint secretary-general of Hefazat-e-Islam, said, "Islam does not support attacks, vandalism, theft, or robbery. We called for a boycott [of products affiliated with Israel], but we did not call for any attacks. 

"I personally watched photos and videos of the vandalised places, and there were no alem [scholars] or people with long beard present. Opportunists took advantage of the situation. We demand that those involved be brought under the law."