United News of Bangladesh

An unruly mob incited by ex-journalist Elias Hossain on Thursday attacked the office building of The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English-language daily, and later set it on fire, creating panic in the area in the aftermath of the death of Sharigf Osman Hadi, a frontliner in the July Uprising who was shot on December 12. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, duty officer Md Shahjahan said they received information about the fire at around 12:40am, following which a fire service unit was dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Until the filing of this report, efforts were underway to bring the fire under control. Earlier, soon after the attack was launched by the mob, members of law enforcement agencies—particularly personnel of the Bangladesh Army—reached the spot and took position to restore order. After the arrival of the fire service vehicle, firefighters began operations to douse the flames. Meanwhile, the disorderly crowd also set fire on the adjacent road, further worsening the situation. Army personnel later assisted the fire service in extinguishing the fires. No immediate information was available regarding the extent of damage. Soon after the news broke that Osman Hadi, spokesman of Inqilab Moncho, had passed away, Elias Hossain, who commands a huge following on social media,posted on Facebook instructing his followers to set fire to the offices of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Prothom Alo was set on fire first. Elias then posted asking his followers to do the same at Daily Star, and the crowd moved there in line with his instructions.

Deep sorrow has descended on the hometown of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho and prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8, following news of his death. His ancestral house is in the Khasmahal area of Nalchhiti municipality in Jhalokathi. At the same time, protesters, including July Uprising veterans, National Coordination Party (NCP), and Gana Adhikar Parishad activists, staged a blockade on the Dhaka–Jhalokathi highway at College Mor, demanding the immediate arrest of Hadi’s killers. Upon hearing the news, Hadi’s relatives, neighbors, and well-wishers rushed to his home, filling the area with grief and wailing. Due to security concerns, the family did not meet anyone or speak to the media on Thursday night. Police said family contact was being limited considering the situation. Family members are expected to speak to relatives and locals on Friday morning. Local residents, classmates, and supporters expressed anger over Hadi’s killing and demanded that the perpetrators be swiftly identified, arrested, and punished. The blockade on the Dhaka–Jhalokathi highway, which started at 11:30 pm on Thursday, brought traffic to a standstill in both directions, affecting buses, trucks, and goods vehicles from Dhaka, Barishal, and Khulna. Passengers and commuters faced severe inconvenience during the night. Protesters said Hadi’s murder was premeditated, and despite the time elapsed since the incident, there has been no effective progress in apprehending the killers. They warned that the movement would continue until justice is served. NCP Jhalokathi district convenor Mainul Islam Manna said Hadi, a well-known revolutionary and patriotic figure after the July Uprising, had not received adequate security. He called the killing not merely a personal tragedy, but an attempt to silence a voice of ideals and protest. Osman Hadi was the son of the late Sharif Maulana Abdul Hadi of the Ferrighat area in Nalchhiti. His sister, Mashuma Sultana bin Hadi, and brother-in-law Amir Hossain are currently at the family home, joined by relatives offering support.

Locals on Friday blocked the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway at Shanirakhra, Jatrabari, demanding a swift trial in connection with Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder. Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in a gun attack in Dhaka last Friday, has died while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital. The blockade began on Friday night after spreading the news of death The obstruction has completely halted traffic in Shanir Akhra and surrounding areas. The roadblock has caused severe traffic congestion on the highway, affecting long-distance vehicles and commuters alike. Rayhan Rafid who was one of them in the demonstration stated that the demonstration is aimed at securing a quick trial for Hadi, who was considered an icon for the youth. Hadi was a prominent social activist known for his work in community development and youth empowerment. His sudden death last month sparked outrage among students and young professionals across the country. Police have arrived at the scene and are negotiating with the demonstrators to restore normalcy. However, the blockade had not been lifted at the time of reporting. Dr Ahad, head of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) health cell and Hadi’s physician, confirmed the news in a video message, saying: “We have received word from Singapore General Hospital that Hadi has passed away.” Earlier on Wednesday night, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan visited Hadi at the hospital. Osman Hadi, who was being considered as a potential Dhaka-8 candidate for the upcoming national election, was shot in the head on Friday, December 12, in the Purana Paltan area of the capital.

A house belonging to the brother of former Dhaka-18 lawmaker Habib Hasan was set on fire in Uttara early Friday, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Duty officer Shahjahan at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters control room said they received information about the fire at 12:15am at the residence of the former Awami League MP's brother in Uttara. Following the report, a firefighting unit was dispatched to the scene. However, the fire service vehicle was obstructed by a crowd on the way, he said. As of the last update, the fire service unit had not been able to reach the spot.

Gloom descended on the village home of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi in the Khasmahal area of Nalchity municipality in Jhalakathi as news of his death spread. Relatives and well-wishers rushed to the house upon hearing the news. However, due to security concerns, no family members spoke to visitors or the media on Thursday night. Police said the family would speak to others on Friday morning. Hadi’s neighbours and former classmates demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in his killing and called for the maximum punishment, including the death penalty. Many people broke down in tears while recalling memories of Hadi. Locals also raised questions about why adequate security was not provided to a heroic July Uprising figure like Hadi following the movement. At present, Hadi’s sister, Masuma Sultana bin Hadi, and his brother-in-law, Amir Hossain, are staying at the family home.

A house belonging to Awami league’s former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel was set on fire in Chattogram on Thursday night amid protests over the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi. The incident took place around 11:00 pm in the Chashmahill area of the city, 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 staged a protest rally at Soloshahar No. 2 Gate, demanding punishment for those involved in Hadi’s killing. The protesters later marched toward Mayor Goli, where the arson incident occurred. Another group of protesters simultaneously held a demonstration and sit-in program in front of the Indian government mission office in the Khurshi area of the city. Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station Md Solaiman said around 200 protesters gathered in the Soloshahar and No. 2 Gate areas to protest the killing of Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi. “They later marched toward Mayor Goli and set a motorcycle on fire at the house of former education minister and Awami League leader Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel. Police were present and attempted to bring the situation under control,” the OC said. No casualties were reported, and police said the situation was under control at the time of filing this report.

Protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway on Thursday night to demand justice for the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho. The blockade took place at the Choumatha area from 10:30 pm to 11:45 pm, disrupting road communication between the capital Dhaka and the southern region, including tourist spots like Kuakata and the Payra port. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway during the protest. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding punishment for Hadi’s killers and opposing Indian imperialism. The protest ended after the blockade was lifted at 11:45 pm.Al Mamun Ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said the situation has now returned to normal as protesters dispersed from the highway.

Students and local residents held a protest march demanding justice for the death of Inqilab Moncho convenor Osman Hadi and the arrest of those responsible. The march began in the northern Temuhani area and proceeded through the main streets of the town, ending in southern Temuhani, on Thursday night. Protesters called for a fair investigation into Hadi’s death, swift apprehension of the culprits, and exemplary punishment. Participants raised various slogans condemning the incident.

A journalist was shot dead and another person injured when armed assailants opened fire at a tea stall in the Sholua Bazar area under Aranghata Police Station of Khulna city on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Emdadul Haque Milon, 45, who worked for an online news portal and also served as general secretary of the Sholua Bazar Development Committee. The injured, Debashish Biswas, 30, is a local veterinary doctor. The incident occurred around 10:00 pm at a tea shop in the market. Milon was shot in the head and died on the spot, while Debashish sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where his condition was reported to be critical. Eyewitnesses said four assailants arrived at the tea stall on two motorcycles and fired several blank shots, causing panic among people in the area. As locals fled, two of the attackers entered the tea shop and shot Milon at point-blank range. They then shot Debashish before fleeing the scene. Milon is the son of Md Bazlur Rahman of Sholua Bazar, while Debashish is the son of Rabindranath Biswas of the same area. Khulna Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Media) TMR Roknuzzaman confirmed that two people were shot in the incident, one of whom died, while the other remains under treatment. Additional Deputy Commissioner (North) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Amit Kumar Barman said police were investigating the motive behind the killing. “We have learned that Milon was a journalist and a local organization leader. The cause of the attack is yet to be determined,” he said. Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday expressed deep shock at the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, calling him a brave political activist and a clear, fearless voice against injustice. In a condolence message posted on his verified Facebook page, he said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. May Allah grant his soul forgiveness and place him in Jannat.” The BNP leader also said 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, Tarique said, as the spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, he played an incredible role in defending the rights of the July fighters, upholding democratic values, and protecting national interests. “I express my deepest condolences to the grieving family, loved ones, and fellow activists.” He also call upon the interim government to conduct quick 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 said. Sharif Osman Hadi emerged as a key figure during the July Uprising and served as the convenor of Inqilab Moncho. He was also preparing to contest the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. On 12 December, he was shot at close range while travelling in a rickshaw in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Two men on a motorcycle opened fire and fled the scene, leaving him critically injured. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later to Evercare Hospital before being moved to Singapore, where he died on Thursday night while receiving treatment.