Bangladesh Tense After Uprising Leader Hadi’s Death Triggers Unrest

Dhaka/New Delhi, Dec 19: Tension prevailed across Bangladesh on Friday following the death of prominent July Uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, which triggered widespread protests, vandalism and sporadic violence in several parts of the country.

While no fresh violence was reported in the morning, protesters vandalised the already demolished 32 Dhanmondi, the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Large-scale unrest erupted late Thursday after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death in a televised address to the nation.

Hadi, a candidate in the February 12 general elections, died at a Singapore hospital after battling for life for six days. He was shot in the head last week by masked gunmen while launching his election campaign at Bijoynagar in central Dhaka.

Following the announcement of his death, protesters attacked newspaper offices, vandalised 32 Dhanmondi with hammers, and demolished an office of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s disbanded Awami League in Rajshahi. Stone-pelting was also reported at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram, though no damage was caused.

Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse crowds and detained at least 12 protesters, with a few injuries reported. Senior officials assured enhanced security to Indian diplomatic premises.

In Dhaka, protesters attacked the office of cultural organisation Chhayanaut and set furniture on fire. Offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star at Karwan Bazar were also vandalised, trapping journalists and staff inside, with a fire lit outside the building.

Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party (NCP), an offshoot of Students Against Discrimination that led last year’s July Uprising, held a mourning procession at Dhaka University, during which anti-India slogans were raised alleging that Hadi’s attackers fled to India. Protesters demanded closure of the Indian High Commission until the assailants are returned.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) condemned the violence and said the Yunus-led interim government must take responsibility. In his address, Yunus vowed swift justice, declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday, and appealed for restraint, asserting that democratic progress cannot be derailed through violence or bloodshed. (Agencies)