Inqilab Mancha announces sit-in at Shahbagh

Inqilab Mancha has blocked Shahbagh intersection in the capital, demanding justice for the murder of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, and has announced an overnight sit-in programme.

Students and members of the general public began gathering at Shahbagh after 2:00 pm on Friday, December 26.

At around 6:30 pm, protesters were seen occupying the intersection and chanting slogans. Due to the blockade, vehicular movement through Shahbagh has come to a halt, causing severe traffic congestion in surrounding areas.

Speaking at the blockade, Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said the government had been given time until December 25 to arrest the killers, but had failed to do so. He said the government failed to ensure Osman Hadi’s security and warned that continuous protests would continue until the perpetrators are arrested.

He added that arresting the killers is the only solution and confirmed that the sit-in would continue overnight and the blockade would remain in place until all those involved in the killing are brought to justice.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the Bijoynagar area of the capital on the afternoon of December 12. He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later admitted to Evercare Hospital. He was taken to Singapore for advanced treatment on December 15, where he died while undergoing treatment on December 18.