New protests, mourning in Bangladesh after activist dies

KABUL (Pajhwok): Protests have erupted in Bangladesh over the killing of a prominent youth protest leader, and a national day of mourning has been declared, media reports said on Saturday.

Sharif Osman Hadi, 23, was shot by several masked men last week in Dhaka, the nation’s capital. He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday at a hospital in Singapore, according to reports.

The attack took place a day after the caretaker government announced the date for national elections. Osman Hadi had reportedly intended to contest the elections as an independent candidate.

BBC reports said that on Thursday morning, hundreds of Osman’s supporters staged protests in Dhaka. The demonstrators subsequently attacked the offices of two newspapers and another building, setting fire to the premises.

Political parties in Bangladesh have expressed grief over Osman’s killing and urged the caretaker government to bring the attackers to justice.

Reacting to Hadi’s death, Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, described it as “an irreplaceable loss to the nation’s political and democratic sphere.” He also pledged a transparent investigation and called on citizens to remain calm.

Local authorities confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, and several individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a leading figure in the student movement “Inquilab Mancha,” which played a key role in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s previous government. After weeks of protests last year, Hasina’s administration was toppled, and she fled to India.

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