United News of Bangladesh

Two teens met a tragic end as their motorcycle crashed into a truck from behind after being chased by police in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon.  The deceased were identified as Rifat Ali, 18, son of Shah Alam, and Sohag Ahmed, 19, son of Ashraful Islam, of Azaipur-Pochapukur and Chandlai-Jorbagan areas respectively of the district town. According to witnesses, patrolling police signalled the motorcycle to stop at the Mor on the Chapainawabganj-Shibganj road on Friday afternoon. Ignoring the signal, they tried to speed away but the bike lost control and hit the truck from the behind, leaving Rifat dead on the spot and Sohag critically injured. Locals initially took Sohag to Chapainawabganj General Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on way to Rajshahi. Sohag’s father Ashraful Islam alleged that the duo was hit by the truck and thrown onto the road when police chased them, leading to the fatality. Enraged by this, locals blockaded the road at the Mor with one of the bodies, disrupting the traffic movement. The agitators carried out vandalism at a police box at Bishwaroad Mor and damaged furniture by setting fire on those after dragging out. Besides, the angry people vandalised a police outpost in the nearby Shantibagh area and set fire to a motorcycle there. Though police tried to bring the situation under control, the mob chased them, triggering tension in the area. Youth stabbed to death in Chapainawabganj The road blockade continued until 7:30 pm while normalcy returned after Army personnel had arrived at the scene. Additional Superintendent of Police NM Wasim Firoz said, “Situation is under control now. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the families.” He said action will be taken if police members are found guilty of performing duty.    

Jagannath University Journalists’ Association (JnUJA) has strongly condemned and protested the attack, vandalism, arson, and looting at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. At the same time, the association has demanded the swift identification of those involved in these heinous acts and that they be brought under the law. In a statement issued today, Friday, JnUJA President Imran Hossain and General Secretary Mahtab Limon expressed this protest in a joint statement. Condemning the incident, they said that a planned attack on media offices is a direct assault on independent journalism. Such violence is unacceptable under any circumstances in a democratic state. They further stated that the journalistic community is currently living under extreme insecurity. Alongside journalists, their families are also spending their days in deep concern and anxiety. An attack on media institutions is essentially an attempt to suppress truth and freedom of expression. The harassment of Editor’s Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir while he was on duty in front of The Daily Star building during the attack is extremely alarming. Harassing a senior editor in this manner sets an insulting and frightening precedent for the journalistic community. Additionally, expressing deep sorrow and anger over the killing of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon in Khulna, JnUJA leaders said that if impunity for the murder of journalists continues, professional security will face even greater threats. They called for those involved in this killing to be brought to justice without delay. The Jagannath University Journalists’ Association expects the state to take effective measures immediately to ensure the safety of media workers and to play a responsible role in protecting freedom of expression. JnUJA President Imran Hossain said, “We had hoped that in the present time the media would become more independent, but the reality is different. Attacking the media means plundering freedom of speech. We urge that fascist behavior not be directed toward the media.”  

Violent protests broke out in Habiganj on Friday over the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Moncho, with demonstrators blocking roads, staging rallies and attacking an Awami League office and a local newspaper office. The protesters demanded the arrest of those involved in the killing and the resignation of the home adviser.Panic spread across the town as the protests escalated. After Jumma prayers, the Anti Discrimination students group announced a blockade and effigy burning programme at the Court Mosque area.Protesters blocked the main road in front of the mosque and burned an effigy of the home adviser. They later brought out a large protest march. When the march reached the Chiriakandi area, protesters attacked and vandalised the office of the local daily Amar Habiganj, owned by Awami League leader and blogger Sushanta Das Gupta. Some locally made weapons were found at the office and later handed over to police.The newspaper has remained closed for the past month on the order of the district magistrate, as its editor Sushanta Das Gupta has been staying in London for a long time without following due procedures.Protesters alleged that from the time Hadi was shot until his death, Sushanta Das Gupta had been posting obscene and abusive comments about Hadi on Facebook. On the way back, the protesters attacked the already damaged Habiganj district Awami League office. and set fire to a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The protesters then gathered in front of the residence of the Habiganj superintendent of police and continued their demonstration. They demanded quick arrests and security for protest leaders and July fighters. nThe programme was withdrawn after the police superintendent assured action and security. Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza at 2:30pm Saturday Student leader Ashraful Islam Sujon said, “Hadi was shot dead in a most brutal manner. Even seven days after the incident, no accused has been arrested. We are giving the administration a 24 hour ultimatum. If the suspects are not arrested within this time, we will shut down the country.” Another student leader Mahdi Hasan said, “If the accused are not brought back from India quickly and given the highest punishment, we will demand the severing of diplomatic relations with them.” Regarding the matter, Dolowar Hossain, Officer in Charge of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station said, “The situation is currently calm.”    

Students and general people blocked Dhaka-Barishal highway for several hours demanding arrest of killers of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Osman Hadi on Friday afternoon. The disruption caused immense suffering of commuters and transport workers.   The protesters gathered at Nathullabad Bus Terminal around noon and began a sit-in on the highway. Hundreds of demonstrators offered prayers on the street and later marched to Ashwini Kumar Town Hall area on Sadar Road where another protest rally was held. Calling the killers ‘fascist Awami League,’ the protesters threatened that they would launch tougher movement if the killers were not arrested immediately. After the programme, the protesters withdrew from the road and ended the blockade. ‘Long March to Border’ for Hadi held at Benapole Hadi, who wished for contesting the upcoming national election from Dhaka-8 seat as an independent candidate, was shot by miscreants, suspected to be followers of the ousted Awami League, on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan of Dhaka on December 12, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at a Singapore Hospital on Thursday. As the news of death spread, people, particularly students, burst into protest across the country and carried out vandalism.     

Protesters demolished the Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League office in the city using a bulldozer during protests on Thursday night over the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho. The protesters first gathered at Saheb Bazar Zero Point before marching to the Awami League office around 11:30pm under the banner ‘Students Against Hegemony’, witnesses said. They brought out a procession from Joha Chattar in front of Rajshahi University’s administrative building.  Leaders and activists of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Islami Chhatra Shibir and general students participated in the march which paraded through the campus before reaching the city centre. From the rally, speakers demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible for Hadi’s killing and warned of evicting the Indian Assistant High Commission from Rajshahi. RUCSU Vice-President and Rajshahi University Islami Chhatra Shibir President Mostaqur Rahman Zahid reiterated the demand for justice for Hadi. During the demonstration, protesters chanted various slogans against the Awami League and India, witnesses said. Meanwhile, the body of Hadi, who died while undergoing treatment in Singapore, is expected to arrive in Dhaka around 6:05pm on Friday.

At least four people, including two police personnel, were injured in a clash between protesters and police outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram following death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho. The protesters gathered outside the mission’s office in the city’s Khulshi area on Thursday night and pelted bricks and vandalised the office premises around 1:00am, said police. When police intervened, a chase and counter-chase ensued between law enforcers and the protesters, said Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz. The injured were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, he said. Police detained 12 people from the spot and they would be shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the CMP Commissioner added. Meanwhile, a section of the protesters remained in front of Khulshi Police Station until late at night demanding the release of the detainees. 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. Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station Md Solaiman said around 200 protesters gathered in Soloshahar and No. 2 Gate areas to protest the killing of 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, he said.

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.

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.