Chattogram has been rocked by the death of Inqilab Manch spokesperson and potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Sharif Osman Hadi while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Angry students and the public vandalized and set fire to the residences of former Chattogram City Corporation mayor and late Awami League leader A.B.M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury and former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.
On Thursday (December 18), at around 11:30 pm, protesters gathered in the Chashma Hill area with a procession from Gate No. 2 and Sholashahar areas of the city. Furniture and a motorcycle were taken out of Mohiuddin Chowdhury's house and set on fire. At the same time, a motorcycle was also set on fire in front of Nowfel's residence.
Earlier, when the news of Hadi's death spread, hundreds of youth gathered in the city's Biplob Udyan, Gate No. 2 and Wasa Mor areas and started a protest around 11 pm. They blocked the road and raised various slogans in protest of the murder, including the slogan 'Hadi, Hadi' and demanded exemplary trial of those involved.
During the protest, the angry students and public also announced to surround the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. At the same time, they also demanded the closure of the Indian High Commission. Meanwhile, there were reports of a separate protest program being held in front of the Indian High Commission in another part of the city.
Although the law enforcement agencies were active in controlling the situation, it was not possible to contact the responsible officers of the Khulshi and Panchlaish police stations of the CMP.
It is worth noting that on Friday (December 12), the day after the national election schedule was announced, miscreants shot Osman Hadi at close range while he was in a moving rickshaw on Box Culvert Road in Purana Paltan in the capital. The bullet entered the right side of his head and exited through the left side, lodged in a part of his brain. He was first admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and then Evercare Hospital in a serious condition. He was last airlifted to Singapore for better treatment on Monday (December 15).
He died while undergoing treatment on Thursday night. Confirming the matter, Osman Hadi's verified Facebook page said, "Allah has accepted the great revolutionary Osman Hadi as a martyr in the face of Indian hegemony." The news of his death was also confirmed by the Facebook page of Inqilab Mancha.
Neurosurgeon Professor Abdul Ahad, who participated in Hadi's surgery in Dhaka, confirmed his death at Singapore General Hospital in a video message.
Meanwhile, in a speech to the nation on Hadi's death, Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, "No one will be spared. I request everyone to remain calm. No one should fall into a trap."
Concerned circles fear that Hadi's death will lead to new protests in various parts of the country, including Chattogram.
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