Osman Hadi shot in Bijoynagar: A day of worry and anxiety

Independent candidate and Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was shot while attending an election rally in Bijoynagar in the capital. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital soon after the attack. He is currently being shifted to Evercare Hospital in the capital. Doctors said that the bullet entered Hadi's head from one side and exited from the other, which is considered a very complex and life-threatening injury.

A tense situation has developed across the country over this attack. There has been a strong demand for the immediate arrest and trial of those involved in the incident. Views Bangladesh presents a detailed scenario over this day of anxiety and worry.

Cardiac arrest twice during the operation, profuse bleeding

Dhaka Medical College Hospital neurosurgeon and one of Hadi's physicians Dr. Suman Rana said that Hadi's injury is life-threatening.

Another doctor at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dr. Zahid Raihan, said that Hadi had two cardiac arrests during a long and complex surgery. In addition, blood started coming out of his nose and mouth due to severe bleeding, which made the situation extremely critical.

He said: "The condition is very bad at the moment. That's what critical means. We will not say anything right now, but he is still alive. The rest is God's will."

Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services, Md. Abu Zafar, said that Hadi's brain condition was - the bullet entered through the right side of the ear and exited through the left. In bullet injuries, the entry wound is small but the exit wound is much larger. That is exactly what happened here. The brain swells, pressure increases, and this can be extremely harmful. To prevent further damage, neurosurgeons at DMCH -- led by Dr Zahid Raihan and his team -- performed a complex procedure to remove a larger portion of the skull, allowing space to relieve pressure on the brain.

The health DG added that Hadi also suffered bleeding through the nose and throat, which was later controlled by ENT specialists.

"Our official decision was to take him to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). But the family members wanted to take him to Evercare Hospital. We contacted Evercare Hospital authorities and sent him there."

Transfer to Evercare Hospital

Although the first stage of the surgery was completed in DMCH, Osman Hadi was transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital in the evening due to rapid deterioration of his condition and continuous bleeding. He is being kept under close observation there.

Doctors said that Hadi's condition is very critical due to extensive injuries inside the head and cardiac complications - the next 24 hours are difficult and crucial.

How Hadi was attacked

Hadi went out for election campaigning after Friday prayers by rickshaw. When he went to Bijoynagar, one of the two men on a motorcycle fired bullet at Osman Hadi. A member of the Inquilab Mancha claimed that the two suspects had joined Hadi's election campaign about two weeks ago and had disappeared for a few days before rejoining the party.

Mohammad Ullah, a member of the Inquilab Mancha, said that one of the two men on a motorcycle shot Osman Hadi in the head. 'They joined the campaign team all on a sudden and were not seen for a few days - then returned and joined the party's work a little before today's incident.'

Video collection and investigation

Immediately after the incident, the police and RAB collected video footage and CCTV camera footage from the scene. Two officials, who did not want to be named, said that all information is being verified. No one has been officially declared a suspect yet.

Inqilab Mancha's reaction

Inqilab Mancha secretary and head of Hadi's public relations team, Abdullah Al Jaber, said: "The two people who were with Hadi at the time of the incident are mentally disturbed. Therefore, they are unable to clearly narrate the entire incident."

He said that those suspected may have carried out the attack in opposition to Hadi's political statements or considering him a 'threat' in the electoral context. He expressed hope of identifying them from the video footage.

Interim government's deep concern

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said in a statement that such violence in an electoral environment is completely unacceptable. He ordered law enforcement to conduct a quick and comprehensive investigation to identify and arrest the criminals and ordered Hadi to be provided with the highest medical care.

Reactions from the political arena

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: "There is no place for political violence. I have no language to condemn this incident."

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman demanded a speedy, impartial and transparent investigation.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah wrote in a Facebook post: 'May Allah save my brother.'

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, the outgoing adviser to the interim government, said: "Hadi has been shot. Stay alive, come back among us - everyone pray for him."

He said that the government and the Election Commission must control the law and order situation. Such incidents immediately after the national election schedule are a warning sign. 'Arrest those involved as soon as possible.'

The most discussed Hadi

Sharif Osman Hadi has been a discussed character in the country since the July uprising.

Hadi, the son of a madrasa teacher, studied at Nesarabad Kamil Madrasa before being admitted to Dhaka University.

After completing his studies in political science at Dhaka University, he was teaching at a private university.

After the July uprising, Hadi came into the spotlight by forming the Inqilab Mancha. This cultural platform set its goal as ‘standing against all hegemony, protecting independence and sovereignty and building a state based on justice’. He built a support group from this platform by making anti-India statements.

From the very beginning, he had been demanding the resignation of President Md. Shahabuddin and the banning of Awami League activities. In February last year, he also actively participated in the demolition of Bangabandhu’s house at Dhanmondi 32.

In November, Osman Hadi posted on his Facebook page that he had been receiving death threats from at least 30 domestic and foreign phone numbers, including phone calls and messages; threats to set his house on fire, and threats to rape his mother, sister and wife.