Inqilab Moncho on Thursday staged a sit-in outside the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, demanding an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
The protest began around 5pm with Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Hadi’s wife and a small number of activists participating in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Jaber said they had deliberately limited the number of protesters considering possible security concerns.
“We could have brought many more people if we wanted. We are waiting here with the wife of martyr Osman Hadi until we receive a clear assurance from the Chief Adviser. Without a full guarantee of justice, we will not withdraw from this sit-in,” he said.
Stating their specific demand, Jaber said the programme would continue until the government formally announces a neutral investigation into Hadi’s killing under UN supervision.
Zuma said Inqilab Moncho, along with Hadi’s wife, had taken position in front of Jamuna to press for the UN-monitored probe.
She alleged that while the platform has cooperated with the government, administration and political parties, it has not received similar cooperation in return.
Later in the evening, the Jamaat-backed 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Nasiruddin Patwary visited the site and expressed solidarity with Inqilab Moncho.
Hadi was also expected to contest the election from the same constituency.
Hadi was shot by assailants on December 12 at Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka, a day after the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum was announced.
He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later to Evercare Hospital, and eventually flown to Singapore. Hadi died on the night of December 18 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.
Following the incident, Jaber filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case.