By Sheikh Arif (Dhaka Bureau)
Following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for ‘Inqilab Manch’ (a political organization formed after last year’s student-led mass uprising) and a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming February elections, students and various political organizations held protest marches across the country last night.
Sharif Osman Hadi passed away at 9:30 PM on Thursday (December 18) while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.
As news of his death spread, protests erupted in Dhaka and throughout the country. Per a pre-scheduled program, leaders of Inqilab Manch called upon students and the public to gather at Shahbagh in Dhaka. By 11:00 PM, Shahbagh became heavily crowded. Leaders of the NCP (National Citizen Party) and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) joined the protest rally at Shahbagh to express solidarity with Inqilab Manch.
Immediately after Hadi’s death was confirmed, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, delivered an address to the nation to prevent any violent incidents. In his brief speech, he expressed deep grievance over Hadi’s death and urged everyone to remain calm. He assured the nation that all perpetrators involved in Hadi’s killing would be brought to justice and face exemplary punishment. A one-day state mourning was declared for Saturday in honor of Hadi’s death.
Despite this, several groups of agitated students and protesters at Shahbagh split into smaller teams and carried out vandalism and arson at multiple installations in Dhaka. Among these, the offices of two of the country’s leading newspapers, ‘Prothom Alo’ (Bengali) and ‘The Daily Star’ (English), were attacked, vandalized, and set on fire. Vandalism and arson also took place at ‘Chhayanaut’- a renowned and traditional cultural institution and at the residence of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, located at Dhanmondi 32.
Here are some photos of the protest:
The office of the country’s leading daily, Prothom Alo, is being engulfed in flames.
The office of the leading English daily, The Daily Star, reduced to ashes by fire.
Victim to the wrath of an agitated mob, the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib (Bangabandhu Memorial Museum) at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka is burning for the third time.
Following extensive vandalism, musical instruments and equipment are being looted from the country’s traditional cultural organization, Chhayanaut.
Furthermore, reports of widespread protests and vandalism were received from across the country last night following Hadi’s death. Local party offices of the fallen Awami League and the residences of former ministers and leaders were targeted. In the divisional city of Chittagong, police dispersed an agitated crowd as they attempted to move toward the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India to vandalize and set it on fire.
Today is Friday, a public holiday. A tense atmosphere prevails in the capital, Dhaka, and across the country following last night’s events. Patrolling by the police and the army has been intensified in Dhaka and nationwide to maintain law and order.
It is noteworthy that Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 while returning home by rickshaw after election campaigning. After initial treatment at Dhaka Medical College, he was moved to Evercare Hospital the same day. Later, on Monday (December 15), he was flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— About the Writer:
Sheikh Arif. Panel Editor of Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau.
