Hadi's body arrives in Dhaka from Singapore amid tight security

Highlights

• Hadi's body arrived in Dhaka at 5:49pm
• Funeral prayer tomorrow at 2pm at the South Plaza of the parliament
• Hadi will be buried beside the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam
• No public viewing of the body

The body of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, arrived in Dhaka this evening (19 December), a day after his demise.

Confirming the matter, Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, assistant director (public relations) of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), said, "Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG 585, carrying Hadi's body, departed Singapore earlier in the afternoon and landed at 5:49pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport."

Leaders of the BNP, Jamaat, NCP and other parties, along with government officials, paid tributes at Hadi's coffin at the airport.

According to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing, the funeral prayer (janaza) of Hadi will be held tomorrow at 2pm at the South Plaza of the parliament.

Those wishing to attend the janaza have been specially requested not to carry any bags or heavy items.

The press wing also announced that flying drones will be strictly prohibited in and around the parliament complex during the prayer.

Earlier, the press wing announced that the prayer would be at 2pm.

Meanwhile, in a post on Inqilab Mancha's Facebook page, the platform said the vehicle carrying Hadi's body left the airport for a mortuary. "The activists of the Inqilab Mancha will gather at Shahbagh and take up position, leaving martyr Hadi there."

"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."

Instead of today, a procession will be brought to the Dhaka University Central Mosque tomorrow, reads the post.

The platform also urged students and supporters to continue their movement peacefully and maintain discipline so that no group can infiltrate or create violence.

Inqilab Mancha also announced that there will be no public viewing of the body, and people were requested to pray for Hadi while maintaining order.

Ahead of the arrival, heightened security measures were put in place at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Airport Armed Police and members of the military were deployed both inside and outside the terminal to maintain law and order.

Hadi, who was critically injured in a gun attack on 12 December, passed away while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital last night.

Widespread protests erupted across Dhaka and multiple districts late Thursday night, continuing into the wee hours of today, after the news of  Hadi's death spread and enraged the student-people.