Dhaka

Tension continues to grip Bangladesh’s capital as the funeral of slain Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi is scheduled to take place, even as authorities attempt to maintain calm in the city.

Hadi was shot at point-blank range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw through Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. Critically injured, he was airlifted to Singapore on December 15 for advanced medical care but later succumbed to his wounds.

His death triggered widespread outrage, with supporters and activists staging protests across Dhaka, demanding justice for the killing. Several rounds of demonstrations were witnessed on Friday as Hadi’s body was brought back to the capital. Although the Inqilab Moncho leadership has appealed to its cadres to remain peaceful during Saturday’s funeral procession, the atmosphere in the city remains tense.

Amid the unrest, a number of civil society organisations have called for the resignation of the home adviser, holding him responsible for the breakdown of law and order following the killing and the violence that ensued. In a joint statement issued on Friday, 16 citizen groups expressed alarm over the worsening security situation and urged immediate corrective measures.

The signatories included Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, Network for Democratic Bangladesh, Charan Sanskritik Kendra, Naripokkho, Association for Land Reform and Development, University Teachers' Network, Nagarik Coalition, and Voice for Reform, according to BD News.

The statement warned that certain vested interest groups were attempting to exploit the incident for political purposes and destabilise the country. It added that even a year after the July Uprising, the interim administration had failed to ensure the safety of citizens against threats posed by the ousted Awami League and other domestic and external forces.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) strongly condemned attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, describing them as grave threats to press freedom.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also weighed in, alleging that the violence following the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi was part of a broader conspiracy aimed at creating instability ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

Addressing a late-night press conference after a meeting of the BNP National Standing Committee on Friday, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir denounced the violence.

“We condemn and express our strong revulsion at these barbaric incidents,” Fakhrul said, adding that a “long-identified group” was deliberately attempting to push the nation towards chaos.

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With large numbers of Inqilab Moncho supporters expected to gather for the funeral, pressure is mounting on the interim government to ensure that peace and order are maintained during the proceedings.