Inqilab Moncho holds protests demanding justice for Hadi

Inqilab Moncho on Friday staged demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattogram demanding justice for the murder of its spokesperson, Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, and announced an indefinite blockade at Shahbagh until their three-point demands are met.
After Jummah prayers, the platform brought out processions from the Shahbagh area in the capital and from the Andarkilla Mosque area in the port city. Leaders and activists later enforced a blockade at the Shahbagh intersection, vowing to continue their sit-in until justice is ensured.
Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber made the announcement. As of filing this report (around 8:30pm), leaders and activists remained at Shahbagh.
Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leader Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) leader Salahuddin Ammar, and other student leaders addressed the gathering.
The protesters placed three demands: bringing Hadi’s killers to trial within 30 days, the resignation of the home adviser, the law adviser and a special assistant to the chief adviser, and the engagement of international investigators such as the FBI and Scotland Yard.
Abdullah Al Jaber said, “We have offered the Friday prayer here and taken an oath standing on the land that until the killers are arrested and brought to justice, we will not leave the place.”
He added that martyr Osman Hadi never sought personal security, but rather the safety of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.
At the gathering, DUCSU Liberation War and Democratic Movement leader Zuma said that if the government fails to ensure justice, it has no right to remain in power.
Earlier, the Dhaka University unit of Inqilab Moncho brought out a procession from the university’s Central Juma Masjid. The march passed through several key roads before converging at Shahbagh, where protesters began a sit-in.
The blockade brought traffic to a standstill at Shahbagh and in adjoining areas, including Katabon, TSC and Matsya Bhaban. 
Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, told the Daily Sun that a demonstration led by Inqilab Moncho blocked Shahbagh. He said the blockade began around 2:30pm and vehicular movement remained halted since then. 
During the programme, protesters chanted slogans demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and an exemplary trial. Inqilab Moncho activist Asaduzzaman Asad also addressed the gathering, reiterating the call for speedy justice. 
In a statement, Inqilab Moncho said its movement would continue until the authorities ensure a prompt and exemplary trial for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. 
The organisation had announced the protest programme through a post on its verified Facebook page on Thursday night, calling for prayers and protest processions across the country to seek forgiveness for the departed soul of martyr Hadi and justice for his murder.
In Chattogram, hundreds of protesters marched through the city’s main thoroughfares after Jummah prayers from Andarkilla Mosque and concluded in front of the Press Club in the Jamalkhan area, where a protest rally was held.
Speakers at the rally said Hadi had built a “tower of inspiration” through his labour and sacrifice and vowed to keep his legacy alive through continued struggle.
Organiser of the July Alliance Abrar Hasan Riyad said the martyred Hadi has become a symbol of inspiration in the struggle for freedom.
“Bangladesh will not be allowed to become anyone’s client state again. Shaheed Hadi will continue to guide us in resisting domination for generations,” he said.
Criticising the interim government, Riyad said it has completely failed to arrest the prime accused in Hadi’s murder even after three weeks.
Inqilab Mancha Chattogram University convener Rafsan Rakib said Shaheed Hadi’s ideals were not confined to any political party.
“As the successors of Hadi, we will continue this struggle against domination and uphold the continuity of his resistance,” he said.
Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the head on Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on 12 December, a day after the announcement of the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary elections and referendum. Hadi was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital. On 15 December, he was flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on 18 December.
Two sent to jail for allegedly helping prime accused flee
A Dhaka court on Friday sent two people to jail for allegedly helping prime suspect Foysal Karim Masud flee to India in connection with the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi.
The accused are Civion Dew, 32, and Sanjay Chisim, 22.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ripon Hossain passed the order after police produced the duo before the court following the completion of two rounds of remand and sought their detention until the end of the investigation.
Earlier, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam placed them on a three-day remand each on 18 December. They were again placed on a five-day remand each on 21 December by the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah.
According to the case statement, two assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire on Hadi while he was travelling in a battery-run rickshaw in the capital’s Bijoynagar Box Culvert area and then fled the scene.
Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber filed the case with Paltan Model Police Station on 14 December.
On 20 December, the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddiq Azad ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case, turning it into a murder case following Hadi’s death on 18 December.