Protesters in Ctg warn interim govt of public backlash for failure to arrest Hadi’s killers
The procession was brought out under the banner of July Oikya Chattogram from Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque and ended with a brief rally at Jamal Khan intersection after passing through Cheragi Pahar
Protesters have warned that members of the interim government's advisory council will face public backlash if those responsible for the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi are not arrested.
Speakers at a protest rally in Chattogram today (19 December) laid out the warning, following a coffin procession organised after Jumma prayers.
The procession was brought out under the banner of July Oikya Chattogram from Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque and ended with a brief rally at Jamal Khan intersection after passing through Cheragi Pahar.
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Addressing the rally, Ibne Hossain Ziad, organiser of July Oikya Chattogram and former coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination at Chattogram College, alleged that leaders of the July Uprising, including NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, have been targeted for assassination.
He said the government must take responsibility and warned the interim authorities to bring the perpetrators back to Bangladesh "dead or alive".
"If similar killings recur, if those issuing threats are not arrested, or if suspects are released on bail within three days, protesters would intensify their movement," he added.
Ziad said the movement would continue until what he described as "Indian hegemony", enforced disappearances, killings and terrorism end, and until ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina is brought back and punished.
He said their movement against what they termed Indian aggression would continue.
Hundreds of people reportedly joined the procession, chanting slogans such as "Bharotiya agrason rukhe dao janagan, (Resist Indian aggression)," "Sayed hote Hadi, azadi azadi, (From Saeed to Hadi, freedom, freedom)," and "Amra sobai Hadi hobo, juge juge lore jabo, (We will all become Hadi and continue the struggle generation after generation)."
The rally was moderated by the organisation's organiser Abrar Hasan Riyad. Speakers included Tausif Imroz, Arman Shahriar, Nazrul Islam - brother of July Uprising martyr Mahadi - Gono Odhikar Parishad senior member Jasim Uddin, and Inqilab Mancha Chattogram Convener Shahidul Islam, among others.
From the rally, protesters placed three key demands.
They called on the interim government to seek an explanation from India over recent remarks that allegedly labelled July Uprising leaders as "militants"; demanded the arrest of the main suspect of Hadi's murder, described as a Chhatra League leader, within 24 hours; and urged the government to suspend relations with India if it continues to provide shelter to the accused.
