District Correspondent, Sylhet: Since August 5, 2024, a series of looting incidents have been occurring across various parts of the country. Taking advantage of protests or using religious or political issues as a pretext, certain groups have attacked and looted businesses, homes, and even vehicles.
Most recently, on Monday, during a protest against Israeli brutality in Palestine, a group of miscreants vandalized and looted several establishments in the city, including international fast-food chain KFC, footwear company Bata’s showroom, Unimart, as well as local shops and restaurants. This incident has sparked widespread criticism across the city, raising questions about who is behind these attacks and why such assaults on businesses are happening.
Investigations reveal that a significant portion of the looters comprises teen gangs, along with floating scavengers and drug addicts. Additionally, some opportunists under the banner of “Touhidi Janata” have been implicated, as evidenced by viral photos on social media.
On the same day as these acts of vandalism and looting, the international investment summit, “Investment Summit,” was taking place in Dhaka. Several high-ranking government officials have expressed concern that such unrest could send a negative message to foreign investors.
In a statement, Bata reported that several of its outlets were vandalized and looted, noting that this is not only detrimental to their business but also harmful to the country’s image. They are currently assessing the extent of the damages.
Crime experts suggest that certain groups are exploiting protests to engage in organized looting. They emphasize the need to investigate whether political patronage or administrative weakness is facilitating these incidents and to take appropriate actions against them. Identifying the individuals or groups behind such activities and understanding their agendas are crucial.
Security analysts argue that protests causing harm to businesses, shopkeepers, or ordinary citizens are unacceptable under any circumstances. The government and law enforcement must act decisively to curb all forms of criminal activity. Failure to do so could lead to a more severe cultural shift toward such behavior.
Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury, President of “Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN)” Sylhet, said protests or demonstrations should always be peaceful. He emphasized that since this unrest began on August 5, law enforcement must address these crimes firmly. Organizer Abdul Karim Kim remarked that organized looting has created a new and troubling culture in society, driven by moral degradation and a lack of family education. He observed that individuals from teenagers to adults are casually engaging in such activities.
Leaders of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sylhet Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the attacks on businesses in Sylhet as deliberate and deeply distressing. They condemned the acts, urging that those responsible for the assaults and looting be identified through video footage and brought to justice with strict punishment.
Deputy Commissioner (North) of SMP, Md. Shahriar Alam, stated that most of the looters were teenagers and floating individuals. So far, 23 people have been arrested. He assured that all those involved, as identified through video footage, would be apprehended, and operations to that end are ongoing.
