Death of Inquilab Manch leader Hadi in Bangladesh, supporters enraged, arson and vandalism, declaration of national mourning.

Dhaka, December 19: Inquilab Manch convenor Sharif Usman Hadi, who played a major role in the movement against Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, died during treatment in Singapore on Thursday. As soon as news of this spread, violence broke out in Dhaka late on Thursday night. The protesters set fire to various places and raised slogans and targeted the offices of the Awami League. The offices of several newspapers were also vandalized. Leading media group Pratham Aalo quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying that Inquilab Manch convenor Sharif Usman Hadi died during treatment in Singapore on Thursday. Hadi was shot in the head by unknown assailants during election campaigning in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12. He was killed and in a critical condition, he was first admitted to Dhaka but was referred to Singapore by air ambulance on 15 December. As soon as the news of Sharif Usman’s death was received, his supporters took to the streets. A large number of furious supporters carried out arson and vandalism at various places. During this, the offices of Awami League were targeted. Slogans were raised against Sheikh Hasina and India. Many newspapers like Pratham Aalo and Daily Star Offices were vandalized and set on fire. Hadi’s militant supporters accused authorities of failing to protect Hadi. Mohammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, addressed the nation and appealed to people to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands. He declared national mourning on Friday, describing Hadi as a fearless warrior. He said that Hadi’s killers will not be spared. He also promised that the government would take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and only child. Hadi, who played a major role in the July 2024 Sheikh Hasina anti-government movement, had demanded a constitutional ban on the Awami League. Hadi, who was a staunch opponent of Sheikh Hasina, was also counted among the leaders who spewed venom against India from time to time. He was campaigning as an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 seat in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, on December 12, he was shot by an unknown assailant, due to which he died during treatment in Singapore.