The police have arrested 49 individuals in connection with vandalism of shops and businesses in Sylhet and several other cities of the country from demonstration processions against Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

Inamul Haque Sagar, AIG (Media and PR) of the Police Headquarters, provided this information on Tuesday morning, April 8.

Cases have been filed against them and further legal actions are under process, he said, adding that all who were involved in the incidents will be identified seeing CCTV footages.

Last night, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam ordered the police to arrest those involved in the attacks and vandalism.

According to UNB report, a group of protesters vandalised a KFC restaurant and a Bata shoe showroom in Sylhet on Monday, April 7, alleging that the brands have ties to Israel.

Quoting witnesses, UNB reported a group of agitated people attacked the KFC outlet in Mirabazar around 3:00pm.

They damaged several beverage bottles inside the restaurant. In response to the attack, the restaurant was closed by the management.

Around the same time, another group vandalised the Bata showroom in the Dargagate area.

Police later rushed to the spots and brought the situation under control, said Kotwali model police station officer-in-charge, Md Ziaul Haque.

Speaking to reporters, some of the demonstrators said there is no place for any company in Bangladesh allegedly connected to Israel.

“The sale of Israeli beverages at this KFC outlet is unacceptable. Millions in Bangladesh stand ready to support our Palestinian brothers. This attack is not just on one region but on the entire Muslim world," one of the protesters said.

Earlier in the day, groups of protesters from different parts of the city gathered outside the KFC restaurant in Mirabazar before the violence broke out.