Police have arrested Ishtiaq Noor Chowdhury, son of Awami League leader Moniruzzaman Chowdhury, for leading the looting of a Bata showroom in Sylhet during a protest march. The incident took place in the Dargah Gate area, where Ishtiaq, wearing a traditional Saudi headscarf, was seen stuffing shoes into sacks — the first to begin the theft.

A viral video shows Ishtiaq stealing shoes from the store, drawing widespread outrage. His father, Moniruzzaman Chowdhury, is a known Awami League figure in the city’s Subidbazar area, police confirmed.

The looting occurred on Monday when a protest rally was held in Sylhet condemning the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Amid the demonstration, infiltrators entered and ransacked several shops across the city. Authorities have begun taking action against those involved.