At least 72 individuals have been arrested over vandalism and looting committed during recent pro-Gaza protests at various places across Bangladesh.
In two statements issued on Wednesday morning, both the police headquarters and the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing disclosed the information.
The CA鈥檚 press wing statement also said that 10 cases were filed in connection with these incidents.
鈥楩urther investigations are under way and additional cases are being processed to be filed against those responsible for these reprehensible acts,鈥� the statement added.
According to the police headquarters, till Wednesday morning, 33 people were arrested in Khulna, 19 in Sylhet, five in Chattogram, four each in Gazipur, Narayanganj and Cox鈥檚 Bazar and three in Cumilla during joint raids by security agencies, including the Bangladesh Army.
Tens of thousands of students, professionals, and general people across Bangladesh held demonstrations throughout April 7 as part of a global strike in solidarity with the Gazans amid an escalating offensive by the Israeli military.
In some cities, including Khulna, Chattogram, Sylhet, Gazipur, Cox鈥檚 Bazar, Narayanganj, Cumilla and Bogura, demonstrators damaged, vandalised and looted some businesses and restaurants, including KFC, Domino鈥檚 Pizza, Pizza Hut and Bata outlets.
The police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly posted an advertisement on the social media for selling footwear looted from Bata outlets in Sylhet.
In a separate press release, issued on Wednesday, the Khulna Metropolitan Police said that on April 7 some miscreants vandalised a Bata showroom in Shibabari area and a KFC outlet in Moylapota area.
The perpetrators looted shoes from the Bata showroom and furniture and different electric appliances from the KFC outlet.
Wednesday鈥檚 statement from the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing read, 鈥榯hese operations will continue until all those responsible for this violence and destruction are apprehended.鈥�