Inqilab Mancha vows to continue Shahbagh blockade until Hadi killers arrested
In a post on Inqilab Mancha’s official Facebook page, the platform said its leaders and activists would remain stationed overnight at Shahbagh
Inqilab Mancha has announced it will continue its blockade at the Shahbagh intersection until those responsible for the killing of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi are arrested and produced before the public.
The announcement was made tonight (26 December) as the protest entered its evening phase. Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber told activists at around 9pm that the blockade, which began after Jumma prayers today, would not be withdrawn under any circumstances.
Jaber said, "We will stay here throughout the night. We have sent people to bring blankets. Hadi Bhai had purchased these blankets during his lifetime for those without clothing, but he did not get the chance to distribute them. We must remain healthy. After the programme ends, we will distribute those to the destitute."
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"Our blockade has been ongoing since noon. So far, no one from the government has contacted us," he added. "This suggests that the government, which helped the killers of martyr Osman Hadi to escape, is now avoiding us so that the blockade is lifted."
Regarding the admission test of Dhaka University is scheduled for Saturday, he told the crowd, "From 9am, we will position ourselves around the area to ensure that students can sit for their exams. However, we will not withdraw the blockade."
Jaber further said that if necessary, activists would rotate in shifts to maintain a continuous presence at Shahbagh.
"We will continue the blockade until the killers are arrested and presented before the public," he added.
"If Hadi's killers flee abroad, they must be handed over to the Bangladeshi authorities immediately through international extradition agreements. Even if they take refuge inside a cantonment, we will bring them out. There will be no compromise on this issue," he said.
Jaber also said that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the grave of Hadi on Saturday (27 December), adding that the blockade would be partially eased to facilitate the visit.
"Tarique Rahman will come to pay respects at Sharif Osman Hadi's grave. At that time, we will move to one side to allow his passage, but the blockade will not be withdrawn," he said.
Calling on protesters to maintain discipline, Jaber urged activists not to engage in any form of disorder.
"Those who do not want to continue a peaceful movement should leave. Some people come only to create chaos, and we will not give them that opportunity. We will not allow any disorder. If anyone tries to create chaos, we will detain them and hand them over to the police," he added.
In a post on Inqilab Mancha's official Facebook page, the platform said its leaders and activists would remain stationed overnight at Shahbagh.
Earlier in the day, activists of Inqilab Mancha blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital, demanding justice for the killing of Osman Hadi.
The blockade began after Jumma prayers, when leaders and activists brought out a protest procession from the Dhaka University Central Mosque and took position at Shahbagh, disrupting traffic on part of the busy intersection.
M Tanvir Ahmed, deputy commissioner (traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna division), confirmed the disruption, saying traffic movement on part of Shahbagh had been halted due to the blockade.
He said traffic diversions had been arranged to keep movement as normal as possible.
Vehicles from Banglamotor to Matsya Bhaban were being diverted via Birdem Hospital, while traffic from Matsya Bhaban to Science Lab was moving through the Dhaka University area. Vehicles from Science Lab to Matsya Bhaban were using internal roads via Katabon.
Addressing the rally this afternoon, Abdullah Al Jaber said the protesters would not leave the streets until all the perpetrators of Hadi's murder were arrested.
"After Jumma prayers, we have taken an oath with Hadi's blood that we will not retreat until the killers are brought to justice," he said.
He added that the blockade would continue until the authorities provided a clear explanation and updates on the progress of the investigation.
"From today, we declare a blockade of Shahbagh. This protest will continue until responsible government advisers come forward and inform the public about the progress of arrest of the killers," he said.
During the protest, demonstrators chanted slogans including "Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar," "Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka," "One Hadi may be gone, a thousand Hadis will fight," and "Catch Awami League members, put them in jail."
Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure of the July Uprising and the spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, was shot in the head on 12 December.
The attack took place at approximately 2:20pm on Box Culvert Road in the city's Paltan area while Hadi was on an election campaign following Jumma prayers.
He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and then transferred to Evercare Hospital before being airlifted to Singapore General Hospital on 15 December.
He succumbed to his injuries on 18 December, sparking nationwide protests and a day of state mourning.
