Two garment factories inside the Narayanganj Export Processing Zone (EPZ) were vandalised yesterday afternoon as workers allegedly did not join the "March for Gaza" protest.

At least 45 individuals have been detained by joint forces in connection with the incident, said Tarek Al Mehedi, additional superintendent of police in Narayanganj.

The incident took place around 5:00pm in Siddhirganj's Adamjee area, said police.

According to witnesses and police sources, several hundred demonstrators were marching near the Adamjee EPZ protesting the Israeli attacks on Gaza. As the procession approached the EPZ gates, the protesters entered the zone and urged workers of nearby factories to join the protest. When the factory workers did not join with them by halting production, the protestors reportedly began vandalising the factories.

Selim Badsha, inspector of Narayanganj Industrial Police-4, told The Daily Star that two export-oriented garment factories -- Yunusco BD Ltd and Ananta Huaxiang Ltd -- were attacked and vandalised.

"The protesters vandalised and looted the factories and also damaged several vehicles nearby. The rampage continued for at least 30 minutes before police, Rab, and army personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control," he added.

"The district police were informed later. The army detained 45 individuals at the scene and later handed them over to Siddhirganj Police Station," said Tarek Al Mehedi.

The police official also said the authorities suspect the involvement of other forces behind the incident.

"The Palestine issue is generally seen as a neutral, humanitarian cause that unites people across political divides. We are investigating whether anyone used this cause as a pretext to orchestrate violence," he said.

Legal action will be taken in connection with the incident, the police official added.