Violence broke out across Dhaka following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha, with several media outlets reportedly targeted in arson attacks.
Sharif Osman Hadi passed away in a Singapore hospital after six days of treatment for injuries sustained in a public shooting on December 12.
Interim government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death in a national address on Thursday night, while Hadi’s group also posted the news on its official Facebook page.
Hours after Hadi’s death, an angry mob set fire to The Daily Star building in Karwan Bazar.
Firefighters deployed six units to control the blaze, while journalists and staff remained trapped inside. Bangladesh Army personnel secured the area as the mob gathered across the street.
In a related incident, protesters marched from Shahbagh to Prothom Alo’s office, vandalising the building with sticks and rods, damaging windows, and setting fire to furniture and documents.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, several staff members remained trapped inside as police struggled to control the unrest.
The student wing of the National Citizen Party (Jatiya Chhatra Shakti) held protests in Dhaka, burning an effigy of Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, demanding his resignation over failure to apprehend Hadi’s attackers and worsening public security. The group announced plans for a symbolic funeral for Hadi.
President Zahid Ahsan stated, “We are not making any demands to Jahangir for arrests because he is unfit for this position. You cannot make demands to an irresponsible home advisor.”
Shooting Incident Details
Hadi, who had been a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the upcoming February elections, was shot in public while riding a rickshaw in Bijoynagar.
The assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire, sparking national outrage.
Bangladesh has experienced a marked rise in violent incidents and a deteriorating law and order situation under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, with the recent unrest highlighting the volatile environment in the capital.
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