Massive crowds gather in Dhaka for the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader whose killing has triggered violent protests across Bangladesh.
DHAKA: Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the Bangladeshi capital on Saturday for the funeral of a slain student leader.
The massive crowds followed two days of violent protests triggered by the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising.
Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque.
Police wearing body cameras were deployed in front of the parliament building where funeral prayers were held.
His body, which was brought to the capital on Friday, was buried at Dhaka University’s central mosque.
“We have not come here to say goodbye,” interim leader Muhammad Yunus said in an emotional speech.
“You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.”
Hadi, 32, was an outspoken critic of India and was set to contest general elections in February.
A government employee who travelled to attend said Hadi was killed because he staunchly opposed India.
Iqbal Hossain Saikot, 34, told AFP Hadi will live on “among the millions of Bangladeshi people who love the land and its sovereign territory”.
The death has triggered widespread unrest, with protesters demanding the arrest of those responsible.
Protesters set fire to several buildings in Dhaka late Thursday, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star.
Critics accuse the publications of favouring neighbouring India, where ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge.
Amnesty International urged Bangladesh’s interim government to carry out prompt and impartial investigations into Hadi’s killing and the subsequent violence.
The rights group also expressed alarm over the lynching of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das following blasphemy allegations.
Yunus said seven suspects had been arrested in connection with Das’s killing in Mymensingh on Thursday.
