After the assassination of prominent youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi in Bangladesh, the atmosphere of the country is becoming increasingly tense. This incident has not only increased political turmoil but also deepened social and communal tensions. Due to its impact, major updates have come out in view of security, protests and communal tension.
First of all, security has been tightened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and visa application center in Sylhet city, so that no one can take undue advantage of the tension created after Hadi’s death. Security forces have been continuously deployed at various sensitive locations since Saturday, including the Assistant High Commission office, the residence of the High Commission officer and the Visa Centre. Earlier, supporters of ‘Inquilab Manch’ had also protested there. The Gano Adhikar Parishad had announced a program to gherao the Assistant High Commission office and some groups protested in front of Shaheed Minar in Sylhet, raising anti-India slogans.
Hadi, 32, a key leader of last year’s student-led movement, was shot in the head by masked assailants while campaigning in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12. Seriously injured Hadi was taken to Singapore for treatment, where he died during treatment on Thursday. After Hadi’s death, anger has spread across the country. Protests have intensified at the national and local levels. Violent demonstrations have also taken place at many places. During this period, some newspaper offices were attacked, media institutions were vandalized and stones were pelted on the streets. An incident of stone pelting has also come to light at the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong.
Hadi’s funeral took place near National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near Dhaka University under heavy security, with thousands of people attending and protesters raising slogans like ‘Delhi or Dhaka-Dhaka, Dhaka’ and ‘Brother Hadi’s blood will not go in vain’. On the same occasion, Hadi’s party gave a 24‑hour ultimatum to the interim government, demanding clear progress in arresting those responsible for Hadi’s murder.
In another horrific incident of communal tension, 25-year-old Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob on charges of blasphemy and his body was hanged from a tree and set on fire in Mymensingh district. The police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested around ten people in this case, while the remaining have been detained as suspects. The incident has created a deep crisis over the security of minorities, and the interim government has strongly condemned it and assured strict action against the culprits.
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