Factories, shops vandalized in Gazipur during 'March for Gaza' protests

Several garment factories, shops, and hotels in Gazipur came under attack yesterday as processions heading towards Dhaka to join the 'March for Gaza' turned violent.

Thousands of garment workers and members of the public staged solidarity processions in various areas of Gazipur—including Konabari, Kashimpur, Kaliakoir, Tongi, and Board Bazar—demanding an end to Israeli military operations in Gaza. The protestors were en route to Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, where a mass rally was organized to express support for the Palestinian people.

As the rally moved along the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways, parts of the procession turned unruly. In the Konabari area, protesters vandalized several garment factories including Standard Stitches Oven Limited and Concord Knitting and Dyeing Industries Limited. In Kashimpur, factories operated by the DBL Group—Maimoon Garments and Matin Garments—were also attacked while still in operation.

Additionally, about 15 to 20 retail shops in Konabari were vandalized, including well-known outlets such as Bata, Apex, Swapna Super Shop, Ajwa Food Shop, Pizza Hall, and Beauty Sweetmeat. Two residential hotels, Rainbow and Moon, were also attacked. During the chaos, a group of sex workers fled from the back of Rainbow Hotel, but one was caught and physically assaulted by members of the mob before police intervened.

Furniture was reportedly taken from Moon Hotel and set ablaze on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, causing widespread panic in the area and halting traffic for approximately two hours.

Standard Stitches Oven Limited's Admin Manager, Yusuf Ali, stated, "In the afternoon, a group of foreign workers entered and attacked the factory."

Assistant Police Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan's Konabari Zone, Abu Mohammad Naser Al Amin, confirmed that protestors angry over Israel's actions in Gaza threw bricks and vandalized factories and commercial establishments. “The attackers were calling for a boycott of Israeli products. The situation was brought under control after the army and police intervened,” he said.