Protests and arson hit Dhaka after pro-democracy youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi dies from an assassination attempt, with buildings of major newspapers set ablaze.
DHAKA: Violence broke out in Bangladesh’s capital early Friday following the death of a key youth leader from last year’s pro-democracy uprising.
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, succumbed to injuries in a Singapore hospital after being shot by masked assailants in Dhaka on December 12.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the arrest of his killers, with several buildings set on fire.
Authorities reported arson attacks on buildings housing the country’s two leading newspapers, the Daily Star and Prothom Alo.
Staff were trapped inside the burning Daily Star building, with reporter Zyma Islam posting a desperate plea for help on social media.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control, but 27 employees remained inside the building at the time.
Protesters accused the newspapers of being aligned with neighbouring India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge.
The house of India’s deputy ambassador was also surrounded before police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Protesters blocked a key highway and attacked the residence of a former minister in Chittagong, according to local television footage.
A cultural centre in Dhaka, Chhayanaut, was also attacked by demonstrators.
Singapore’s foreign ministry confirmed Hadi’s death and said it was assisting with repatriating his body.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus called Hadi’s demise “an irreparable loss for the nation” in a televised speech.
“The country’s march toward democracy cannot be halted through fear, terror, or bloodshed,” Yunus stated.
The government announced special prayers at mosques and a half-day of mourning on Saturday.
Bangladeshi police have launched a manhunt for the shooters, releasing photographs of two suspects.
A reward of 5 million taka, approximately $42,000, has been offered for information leading to their arrest.
Yunus described the shooting as a premeditated attack aimed at derailing the February 2026 national election.
Hadi was a senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha and an outspoken critic of India.
He was running for a parliament seat in the upcoming election, which will see 300 lawmakers directly voted into office.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely tipped to win the vote, with its leader Tarique Rahman set to return from exile in Britain. – AFP
