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News Topical, Digital Desk : Tension gripped Bangladesh on Friday following the death of Sheikh Hasina opposition leader Sharif Osman Hadi, leading to protests, violence and vandalism in several parts of the country.
Although no incidents of violence were reported in the morning, protesters were seen vandalising the already demolished building at 32 Dhanmondi, the home of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Indian High Commissioner's house attacked
Attacks and vandalism broke out in various parts of the country on Thursday night, including stone-throwing at the home of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chittagong, after Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus confirmed the death of Inquilab Manch leader Hadi in a televised address to the nation. Protesters also threw bricks and stones at the home of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chittagong at 1:30 a.m., but caused no damage.
Police responded with tear gas and a baton charge, dispersing the crowd and detaining 12 protesters. Some people were reportedly injured. Senior officials assured the Assistant High Commissioner of improved security.
Supporters of the group chanted anti-India slogans and alleged that Hadi's attackers had fled to India after the assassination. They demanded the interim government close the Indian High Commission until the attackers were brought back.
Sarjis Alam, a prominent NCP leader, said, "The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh will remain closed until India sends back Hadi Bhai's killers. Now or never. We are at war!"
Gunmen shot him last week
Mancha had initially announced the death of Hadi, whose body would be brought home later in the day. Hadi, a candidate in the February 12 general elections, died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital after battling for life for six days. He was shot in the head by masked gunmen during an election campaign in the Bijoynagar area of central Dhaka last week.
Violent protests in Bangladesh
On Thursday, protesters took to the streets and attacked the offices of major newspapers, vandalised 32 Dhanmondi with hammers and also demolished an office of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dissolved Awami League party in Rajshahi city.
32 Dhanmondi, considered the centre of Bangladesh's pre-independence autonomy struggle for decades, was largely razed by excavators on February 5 this year, while it was set on fire soon after the fall of the then Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
In Dhaka, protesters attacked the office of Chhayanaut, a prominent cultural group, removing furniture and setting it on fire. Sporadic violence was also reported from other parts of the country overnight. A group of protesters attacked the offices of the Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo and the nearby Daily Star in the capital's Karwan Bazar, near Shahbag Square.
According to reports, protesters vandalized several floors, leaving the newspaper's journalists and staff trapped inside, and the mob set fire to the building's facade. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by seriously ill former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, strongly condemned the vandalism and said the interim government led by Yunus must take responsibility.
What did Yunus say?
In his address on Thursday, Yunus promised to bring those involved in Hadi's brutal murder to justice as soon as possible, saying, "There will be no leniency for the killers." He added, "I appeal to all citizens with all sincerity - maintain patience and restraint."
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