Bangladesh slid into fresh turmoil early on December 19, 2025 as nationwide protests, street clashes and attacks on media offices intensified following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was a prominent organiser of the August 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BD News reported.
Demonstrators hurled stones at the Indian mission in Chattogram while unrest spread across major cities, underscoring the fragile security environment after months of political volatility.
Hadi was shot while campaigning for forthcoming February 2026 national elections in Dhaka and was taken to hospital in critical condition before plans were announced to airlift him to Singapore for advanced treatment.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Hadi had died from his injuries, ending hopes that overseas care would stabilise the influential student figure. Bangladesh’s interim administration declared a one-day state mourning and pledged to identify and arrest those responsible, while urging citizens to exercise restraint as anger surged.
Videos circulated online showed protesters vandalising and setting fire to the Dhaka offices of leading dailies Prothom Alo and Daily Star, prompting journalists and staff to appeal for calm as they were rescued by emergency services.
The protests comes against a tense political backdrop following months of violent incidents including crude grenade attacks and explosions purportedly organised by supporters of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina who remains in exile in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment