Security tightened across Dhaka after Hadi's death

Security has been significantly reinforced across Dhaka on Friday, December 19, following unrest triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha.

After news of his passing spread late Thursday, groups of protesters took to the streets, carrying out acts of vandalism, arson, and attacks on multiple sites in the capital, prompting authorities to place police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and army units on high alert.

Law enforcement agencies have since intensified patrols and deployed additional personnel to sensitive locations.

The crackdown follows overnight attacks on the offices of The Daily Star in Farmgate, Prothom Alo in Karwan Bazar, and the Chhayanaut cultural center in Dhanmondi, all of which sustained damage from arson and vandalism.

Sub-Inspector Khalilur Rahman of Dhanmondi Police Station said that officers had been stationed at Chhayanaut since early morning and reported no further incidents during the day.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam visited the vandalised offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star to assess the damage and review security measures.

Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, passed away on Thursday night, December 18, while receiving treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

Hadi was critically injured when two assailants opened fire on him while traveling on a rickshaw near the Box Culvert Road in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area.

Two individuals on a motorcycle approached his rickshaw, and one of them shot him from close range before fleeing the scene.

KR/MHK