Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam has instructed police officers to arrest the individuals responsible for vandalising shops and businesses in Sylhet and other places across the country.

“We have video footage of the attackers. They are being identified and will be arrested immediately. Police teams are currently working on this,” the chief adviser's press wing quoted the IGP as saying on Monday night.

“The government does not impede any lawful protests. However, we will not tolerate any criminal acts under the guise of protest.”

On Monday, people from all walks of life staged protests across Bangladesh, denouncing Israeli atrocities in Gaza and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. They also called for a boycott of Israeli products.

During the demonstrations, agitated people vandalised KFC and Pizza Hut outlets as well as Bata showrooms in Sylhet and other places in the country, alleging that the brands have ties to Israel.

The incidents took place at a time when the Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 was taking place in the country.

Over the issue, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said, “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.

“A lot of these businesses were local investors, some of them were foreigners who believed in Bangladesh. They all offered employment opportunities to our youth. Those who have committed these heinous acts of vandalism are true enemies of job creation, economic growth, and stability,” he added.