Osman Hadi's janaza: Heavy security in place at Manik Mia Avenue
The DMP has deployed a large number of personnel, including officers equipped with 1,000 body-worn cameras, to ensure security during the janaza
Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas have been placed under tight security ahead of the funeral prayer (janaza) of slain Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, as large crowds continue to gather in the area alongside the deployment of thousands of law enforcement personnel to maintain order and ensure public safety.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has deployed a large number of personnel, including officers equipped with 1,000 body-worn cameras, to ensure security during the janaza, confirmed DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman, saying adequate preparations have been taken to maintain law and order during the programme.
From 10am, people have been arriving on Manik Mia Avenue in small processions to attend the janaza. To facilitate the programme, vehicular movement has been suspended from Khejurbagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has requested city residents to follow several traffic instructions.
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In addition to police deployment, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been stationed at key points across the capital, including the parliament complex and other sensitive locations.
The namaz-e-janaza of Hadi, who was preparing to contest the upcoming national election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, will be held at 2pm today at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament), according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
His elder brother, Abu Bakar Siddiq, will lead the funeral prayer.
The body of Sharif Osman Hadi was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination earlier today.
Following the janaza, Hadi will be laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Hadi sustained critical injuries in a gun attack on 12 December and later succumbed to his wounds at Singapore General Hospital on Thursday night.
Following the news of his death, widespread protests broke out across Dhaka and several other districts late Thursday night, with demonstrations continuing into the early hours of today.
Three-tier security measures for Hadi's Janaza
To ensure overall law and order and security for Osman Hadi's janaza, sufficient numbers of BGB personnel have been deployed at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and important areas of the capital, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer at the BGB.
Law enforcement agencies have introduced a three-tier security system across Manik Mia Avenue and the parliament complex. Security arrangements have been strengthened in view of recent unrest following Hadi's death, with coordinated efforts underway to prevent any untoward incident during the funeral and burial.
Additional security arrangements have been put in place around the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, where Sharif Osman Hadi's janaza will be held.
Entrance points have been set up at Khamarbari crossing on the east and the Aarong area on the west of Manik Mia Avenue, with bamboo barricades guiding participants into the venue.
Police and Armed Police Battalion (APBN) members are conducting checks with hand-held metal detectors, while bags are being searched where necessary.
Archways have also been installed at the entrances to the South Plaza, where further screening is being carried out by members of the police, APBN, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army.
Inside the plaza, the field has been cordoned off with bamboo barricades, with three controlled entry points where Special Branch (SB) personnel are checking attendees.
A stage has been prepared on the west side of the South Plaza to place Hadi's body.
Besides the police and BGB, members of the Special Security Force (SSF), Ansar and intelligence agencies in plainclothes have been deployed across the area.
Border Guard Bangladesh has deployed 20 platoons equipped with riot control gear to maintain law and order in the parliament area and other key points in the capital, BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam said.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police reiterated that adequate numbers of police personnel have been deployed in the area, while Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Deputy Director Md Ashiquzzaman said 870 Ansar and VDP members have been stationed at Manik Mia Avenue for the programme.
Meanwhile, the number of people gathering at Manik Mia Avenue continued to rise through the day, with many arriving in groups and chanting slogans as they made their way towards the janaza venue.
