Bangladesh is on edge as it readies to hold the funeral of youth leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, who died in a Singapore hospital where he had been undergoing treatment for fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by masked gunmen on December 12.
The body of Hadi arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at around 6 pm local time on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, amid tight security and widespread public mourning, a state-run news agency reported, quoting Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Boshra Islam.
The funeral prayer will be held on Saturday amid tight security arrangements at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 2 pm, the press wing of the interim government of Bangladesh has announced.
Chief Advisor to the interim government, Mohammad Yunus has declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday.
The government imposed a ban on flying drones in and around the Sangsad Bhaban during janaza, a local news portal reported, and added that those wishing to attend the funeral have been asked not to carry any bags or heavy objects with them.
Hadi was an upcoming leader and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha. The party announced on social media on Friday: “upon the family’s wishes, a decision has been taken to bury Hadi beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and to hold his funeral prayer after Zuhr tomorrow at Manik Mia Avenue.”
They also said that there will be no public viewing of the body, and requested people to pray for Hadi while maintaining order.
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Meanwhile, UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, called for a “transparent investigation” into Hadi’s killing and urged everyone to “refrain from violence”.
“Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all. I urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the attack that led to Hadi’s death, and to ensure due process and accountability for those responsible,” he said.
Bangladesh’s interim government on Friday also urged citizens to resist violence by “fringe elements” as Hadi’s body arrived in Dhaka from Singapore, triggering crowds to go on rampage.
Yunus, appealed for calm, saying, “The government urges all citizens of Bangladesh to resist all forms of mob violence committed by a few fringe elements. We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arson, and destruction of properties”.
In a televised address to the nation on late Thursday, Yunus vowed to bring those involved in Hadi’s brutal murder to justice quickly, saying, “no leniency will be shown” to the killers.
Hadi was one of the leaders who had taken part in the student-led protests last year, termed as the ‘July Uprising’, and a candidate for the upcoming general elections scheduled to be held on February 12.
On Thursday night, the National Citizen Party (NCP), a major offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) that led the July uprising which ousted the Hasina-led government, joined a mourning procession on the Dhaka University campus.
Supporters of the group raised anti-India slogans, alleging that Hadi’s assailants fled to India after carrying out the murder, and demanded that the interim government shut the Indian High Commission until the suspects are returned.
“The interim government must close the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh until India returns the assassins of Hadi bhai. Now or never. We are in a war,” said Sarjis Alm, a key NCP leader.
The US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday issued an advisory, urging American citizens in Bangladesh to exercise caution, warning that “gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence”.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also issued a travel advisory, urging British citizens to avoid travel, unless very essential, to the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, citing reports of violence and other criminal activity, particularly in remote parts.
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