Inqilab Moncho calls for complete blockade in divisional cities

The Inqilab Moncho has announced a complete blockade in divisional cities across the country starting at 2:00pm today, Sunday, demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

The announcement was made in a Facebook post by the Inqilab platform at around 12:45am last night, Sunday.

Earlier, at around 11:30 p.m., Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber had announced the programme at 11:00am from a sit-in protest at Shahbagh.

However, due to a scheduled press conference by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today, the programme was reviewed and subsequently rescheduled to begin at 2:00pm.

Announcing the new programme, Abdullah Al Jaber said, “We are declaring a complete blockade in all eight divisions. There can be no compromise over the blood of Shaheed Osman Hadi. The blockade will continue until all those involved in Hadi’s killing are publicly identified. We call on everyone to participate in this programme. There will be no compromise with anyone when it comes to justice for Hadi’s murder.”

Before the announcement, at around 11:00pm, Adviser on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali came to Shahbagh. There, they briefed the protesting crowd on the progress of the investigation into Hadi’s killing and promised that a charge sheet would be submitted by 7 January. They also pledged to complete the trial within a short time. However, rejecting these assurances, the Inqilab platform announced the new programme.

Referring to the Asiya murder case (the widely discussed child rape and murder case in Magura), the adviser said that the trial in that case had been completed within six working days. Therefore, she emphasised that the charge sheet must be prepared accurately, leaving no loopholes anywhere. Once that is completed, the brutal murder must certainly be brought to trial within a short time.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “Many times, even if the offender has fled, justice can still be carried out. Sheikh Hasina has been tried. Likewise, we are making our utmost efforts to ensure that if those who made Hadi a martyr have left Bangladesh, we will definitely be able to bring them back to the country. This message has been clearly conveyed to the Indian government through diplomatic efforts. The Indian government has assured us that if the offender is found in India, they will certainly assist Bangladesh.”

Before the adviser’s remarks, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali spoke about the investigation into the Osman Hadi murder case. He said the government has deployed all intelligence agencies, including the police, BGB, RAB, and others, to uncover who was behind the incident. Significant progress has already been made in uncovering the mystery of the murder. So far, 10 people have been arrested. Two pistols used in the killing and a motorcycle have been recovered, along with signed cheques worth Tk 2.18 billion. Considerable progress has been made, and the charge sheet will be submitted within the next 10 days, that is, by 7 January. Further details will be shared in due course.

After the statements by the DMP Commissioner and the adviser, Inqilab platform Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said, “It has been said that 90 per cent of the investigation has already been completed. Then why should it take until the 7th to complete the remaining 10 per cent? The charge sheet must be submitted within the next three days. We do not accept vague timelines like ‘as soon as possible.’”

He further said, “They have said that if necessary, the killer will be brought back from abroad to face trial. But the shooter is the smallest cog in this murder. We must be told who the powerful figures behind it are. Osman Hadi was not killed solely on the shooter’s own initiative. Simply bringing back the gunman will not be enough.”

Since Friday afternoon, leaders and activists of the Inqilab Moncho have been holding a continuous sit-in programme at Shahbagh, demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Osman Hadi. People from various walks of life have joined the protest, including women and children.

On the ground, it was seen that protesters were sitting under the open sky in the middle of Shahbagh intersection, braving the cold. They raised slogans at regular intervals, recited poetry, and some sang songs composed in memory of Hadi. Others walked a short distance to visit Hadi’s grave and pay their respects. Speeches demanding justice for Hadi’s killing were delivered frequently. Although the number of people was smaller in the morning, it increased after noon. During the sit-in, they performed Zuhr, Asr, and Maghrib prayers at Shahbagh.

During this time, platform activists raised slogans such as “Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar,” “No compromise, struggle—struggle,” “We want justice,” “Delhi not Dhaka—Dhaka, Dhaka,” “No servitude, freedom—freedom,” “Hadi belongs to the people; Hadi does not die,” “Father of terrorists—Modi, Modi,” “Not Modi, Hadi—Hadi,” “Why did brother Hadi die? Interim, answer us,” and “We will not let Hadi’s blood go in vain,” among others.

Yesterday afternoon, as the Dhaka University Science Unit admission test was being held, volunteers from the Inqilab platform assisted admission-seeking students in reaching their exam centres. After the examination, many of the prospective students joined the protest programme.

During the sit-in yesterday, Saturday, at around 11:15am, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman went to visit Osman Hadi’s grave along with leaders and activists near the central mosque area of Dhaka University. At that time, Inqilab Moncho leaders and activists moved their sit-in to in front of Aziz Super Market.

After visiting the grave, Tarique Rahman returned, and at around 12:30pm, the activists resumed their sit-in at Shahbagh. Since then, they have been holding the sit-in at Shahbagh, demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for Hadi’s killing. As a result, all vehicular traffic through Shahbagh intersection was halted from Friday afternoon.

Martyred Osman Hadi had formed the Inqilab Moncho in August last year and became widely known across the country for speaking out against the ousted Awami League and Indian dominance.

He was also campaigning to contest the upcoming election from Dhaka-8. On 12 December, he was shot in Purana Paltan area of the capital. For advanced treatment, Osman Hadi was sent to Singapore, where he passed away on 18 December while undergoing treatment. The main accused in the Hadi murder case, Faisal Karim, is a former leader of the banned student organisation Chhatra League. The police have yet to arrest him.