Dhaka remained on edge on Saturday as preparations began for the burial of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi, whose killing earlier this month has triggered waves of protests and sharpened political fault lines in Bangladesh’s capital.
On December 12, Hadi was shot at close range while he was travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment three days later, but succumbed to his injuries.
The return of his body to Dhaka on Friday set off fresh protests, with activists demanding justice and accountability. While Inqilab Moncho has appealed to its cadres to maintain calm during the funeral procession, security agencies remain on alert amid fears of further unrest.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi, whose killing pushed Bangladesh back to the brink
Funeral day security under focus as Dhaka remains tense
Multiple rounds of demonstrations were reported on Friday as Hadi’s body arrived in the capital. The uneasy calm on Saturday reflects broader anxiety over law and order, particularly with large gatherings of Inqilab supporters expected during the burial.
The interim government is under pressure to ensure the funeral passes without incident, as the killing has already sparked violence and vandalism in parts of the city, ANI reported.
Civil society groups seek home adviser’s exit
Amid the mounting tension, 16 citizen organisations have demanded the resignation of the home adviser, accusing him of failing to protect public safety after Hadi’s killing and the violence that followed.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the groups expressed “deep concern” over what they described as a deterioration in law and order, urging immediate corrective steps. The signatories included Association for Land Reform and Development, Charan Sanskritik Kendra, Naripokkho, Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, Network for Democratic Bangladesh, University Teachers’ Network, Nagarik Coalition and Voice for Reform, according to BD News.
The statement warned that groups with vested interests were attempting to exploit the killing for political gain and to destabilise the country. “Even one year after the [July Uprising], the interim government has failed to ensure citizens’ safety from the ousted Awami League and other forces at home and abroad,” it said.
Media bodies condemn attacks on news organisations
Concerns over public safety have also spilled into fears about press freedom. Bangladesh’s Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) strongly condemned attacks, vandalism and arson targeting the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, calling the incidents a serious threat to independent journalism.
BNP alleges conspiracy ahead of elections
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has linked the post-killing violence to a broader political plot. Addressing a press conference late Friday night, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the unrest was aimed at creating uncertainty ahead of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections.
“We condemn and express our disgust at these heinous incidents,” Fakhrul said after a meeting of the BNP’s National Standing Committee. “They show that a long-identified group is deliberately pushing the country towards chaos.”
As Inqilab cadres prepare to gather for Hadi’s final rites, the spotlight remains firmly on the interim administration’s ability to prevent further violence and restore a sense of order in the capital. (ANI)