Osman Hadi no more

At least four people, including two police personnel, were injured in a clash between protesters and police outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram following death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho.

The protesters gathered outside the mission’s office in the city’s Khulshi area on Thursday night and pelted bricks and vandalised the office premises around 1:00am, said police.

When police intervened, a chase and counter-chase ensued between law enforcers and the protesters, said Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz.

The injured were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, he said.

Police detained 12 people from the spot and they would be shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the CMP Commissioner added. [UNB]

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

In a condolence message, the president prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. [BSS]

Unruly protesters vandalised the building of Chhayanaut, Bangladesh’s revered cultural institution, early Friday in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.

The incident took place around 1:45am. 

After news of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi spread, demonstrators gathered at Shahbagh to hold protests. A group of them then headed towards Dhanmondi. 

They entered the building and carried out vandalism. They also took the building’s belongings outside and set them on fire.

Informed, members of the army and police rushed to the spot and drove the protesters away.

Agitated protesters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the capital’s Shanir Akhra area early Friday, in response to the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The blockade caused long tailbacks on both sides of the road. However, the protesters allowed  ambulances carrying patients to pass.

A house belonging to Awami League’s former education minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel was set on fire in Chattogram city on Thursday night amid protests over the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The incident took place in the Chashmahill area, where agitated protesters torched a motorcycle inside the house, which also belongs to former Chattogram mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

Earlier, students and activists under the banner of Inqilab Moncho gathered in Biplab Udyan, Gate No 2, and WASA intersection areas around 11pm and staged demonstrations, demanding punishment for those involved in Hadi’s killing. 

Another group of protesters simultaneously held demonstrations in front of the Assistant High Commission of India in the Khurshi area.

Police later brought the situation under control.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the government will take responsibility for the wife and only child of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The chief adviser made the announcement while addressing the nation on Thursday night.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho. 

“His death is an irreplaceable loss to the country’s political and democratic landscape,” the chief adviser said while addressing the nation on Thursday night.

Yunus also prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed deepest sympathy to his bereaved wife, family members, relatives and colleagues.

The body of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi is likely to arrive in Bangladesh from Singapore on Friday evening.

A commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the body is scheduled to depart Singapore around 3:50pm (local time), Inqilab Moncho said in a post on its Facebook page in the early hours of Friday.

The flight is expected to land at the Dhaka airport around 6:05pm (Bangladesh time), it said.

On Friday morning, the first namaz-e-janaza of Hadi will be held at Angullia Mosque in Singapore.

In Bangladesh, his funeral prayer will be held on Manik Mia Avenue after Juhr prayer on Saturday, the Moncho said.

In another post, it urged the public to refrain from any form of violence.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed expressed deep shock and sorrow on Thursday at the demise of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

In a condolence message, the chief justice said the country lost a brave voice with the untimely and tragic death of Osman Hadi.

He also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said that Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi struggled to build the country by dismantling hegemony.

“Those who are now attempting to divert the protests into a different direction, resorting to arson, and those who are encouraging such actions, are acting against Hadi’s spirit. This is a planned sabotage,” he wrote on his Facebook page early Friday.

Urging all to build the movement peacefully, Nahid said, “We will not, under any circumstances, allow Hadi’s martyrdom to be exploited by any reckless group.”

He added, “Hadi’s killer and mass murderer Hasina must be handed over by India.”

In another post, he called on all to join the sit-in programme at Shahbagh with protest marches after Jumma prayer and carry out the programme at all July movement spots outside Dhaka.

Mentioning that various forces are plotting to undermine the July Revolution, he urged the people to ensure the safety and security of all institutions, including the media.

Security has been beefed up at the High Commission of India in the capital following the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

After news of his death spread on Thursday night, protests erupted across the city and other parts of the country, with demonstrators demanding the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.

To prevent any untoward incidents, army personnel, along with an additional 90 police members, have been deployed at the High Commission in the Baridhara area.

Protesters staged hours-long demonstrations in front of Vatara police station, which is not far from the High Commission.

They left the spot minutes before 3am, announcing that they would gather again there after Jumma prayers on Friday.

The government will observe state mourning on Saturday following the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus made the announcement on Thursday night while addressing the nation, about an hour after Hadi passed away at a hospital in Singapore while undergoing treatment.

As part of the observance, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government, semi-government, autonomous and educational institutions, as well as on all government and non-government buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad.

The chief adviser said special prayers seeking forgiveness for Hadi’s departed soul will be held in every mosque across the country after Jumma prayers on Friday.

He further said special prayers will also be organised in places of worship of other religions.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman expressed profound sorrow over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a steadfast July activist, in a condolence statement on Thursday.

In the statement, the ameer said, “Sharif Osman Hadi was a courageous July activist and a true patriot. He never bowed to injustice. His voice resonated against all forms of imperialist forces and oppression. He was an unwavering fighter, untouched by worldly greed or temptation.”

Shafiqur added that Hadi dreamed of a humane, new Bangladesh and played a pivotal role in the struggle for a society based on justice, truth, and fairness.

“With his martyrdom, the nation has lost a fearless voice and an idealistic fighter. The void created by his death cannot be easily filled. His strong voice must inspire the new generation to work towards realising his vision, regardless of party or ideology. The nation will remember his contributions with respect,” he said.

The Jamaat ameer prayed for Allah’s mercy on Hadi’s soul and extended heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, including his young children, wife, fellow activists, and well-wishers, praying that Allah grants them the strength to bear the immense loss. [UNB]

After spreading the death news of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, protesters ransacked the offices of the Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar area around midnight on Thursday and set them ablaze.

They also set fire to the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32.

In the capital, protests erupted at different points against the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, with demonstrators demanding the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed condolences on the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

In his Facebook page on Thursday night, “deeply saddened” Tarique wrote, “This untimely death is a grave reminder of the human cost of political violence.”

Hadi was a brave political activist and a clear, fearless voice who always stood up against injustice, he said. 

“After the July mass uprising, as the spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, he played an incredible role in defending the rights of the July fighters, upholding democratic values, and protecting national interests.”

The BNP leader expressed his deepest condolences to the grieving family, loved ones, and fellow activists. 

He also called upon the interim government to conduct swift investigation, with the utmost priority, so that perpetrators are apprehended, punished, and justice is served.

“Together, we must safeguard every citizen and prevent any such incident aiming to destabilise Bangladesh and undermine our democratic aspirations.”

Tarique added, “May Allah grant his soul forgiveness and place him in Jannat.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that all those involved in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi will be swiftly brought to justice.

“And the maximum punishment will be ensured against them. No leniency will be shown in this regard,” he said while addressing the nation on Thursday night.

The chief adviser said, “Inspired by revolutionary fervour, young leader Osman Hadi was an icon of protest. Through his actions, he left behind not only a legacy of resistance but also an exceptional example of patriotism, patience, and steadfast resolve.”

Yunus also urged all citizens of the country to maintain patience and restraint following Hadi’s death.

Protests erupted in Dhaka and other parts of the country on Thursday night following the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Demonstrators took to the streets soon after the news of Hadi’s death spread around. 

They blocked the capital’s Shahbagh intersection around 10:30pm, chanting slogans such as “Tumi Ke, Ami Ke, Hadi, Hadi” and “Amra Shobai Ek Hobo, Gulir Mukhe Kotha Kobo.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is expected to address the nation tonight, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) and BTV News will broadcast the speech simultaneously, it said.

The fresh development comes about an hour after Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi passed away at a hospital in Singapore while undergoing treatment.

Resident Surgeon of Dhaka Medical College Hospital's Neurosurgery department Dr ABdul Ahad has said that Osman Hadi's body will be brought back to the country on Friday Morning.

Hadi breathed his last while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital around 10pm on Thursday, Ahad confirmed.