United News of Bangladesh

Even in the chilling cold and wind, followers of the Inquilab Moncho on Friday night continued their sit-in programme at Shahbagh intersection to press home the demand to arrest all killers of Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Besides, the Moncho, a platform formed centring the last year’s student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, announced to continue their protest programme until all the killers are brought to justice. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of the platform, made the announcement while addressing the protesters at Shahbag at night. He said, “We will stay here throughout the night. We have sent people to bring blankets. Hadi Bhai had purchased these blankets during his lifetime for those without clothing, but he did not get the chance to distribute them. We must remain healthy. After the programme ends, we will distribute those to the destitute.” As an admission test of Dhaka University is scheduled for Saturday, he told the crowd, “From 9am, we will position ourselves around the area to ensure that students can sit for their exams. However, we will not withdraw the blockade.” The Moncho has been staging a protest by blocking the Shahbag intersection since 2pm Friday, demanding justice for the murder of its spokesperson Hadi. Inquilab Moncho shares image of ‘Hadi's coffin’ Alongside the leaders of the platform, people from various professions and walks of life were seen participating in the programme. Hadi, who played an active role in the July uprising, formed Inquilab Moncho in August last year and became a well-known figure nationwide for his outspoken opposition to the ousted Awami League and to India. He had also been campaigning to woo voters as he wished for contesting the upcoming national election from the Dhaka-8 seat. The Moncho has been carrying out a series of programmes demanding the arrest and trial of Hadi’s killers. As part of a previously announced programme, they blocked the Shahbag intersection Friday. During the protest, along with chanting slogans, participants intermittently recited poetry. The Moncho member Mohammad Shahin recited a poem during the demonstration. Earlier in the afternoon, the Moncho, through a Facebook post, called upon the people of Bangladesh to come to Shahbag and join the sit-in demanding trial for the killing of Hadi. Inquilab Mancha stages sit-in outside CA’s residence Speaking at Shahbag, Al Jaber said that they would remain on the streets until justice was served. “This blockade is ongoing, and it will continue. We will not leave until justice is ensured. Until everyone involved in the murder of Hadi-those who planned it and those who carried it out-is arrested, we will not leave the streets. We have no option left to return home, ” he threatened.