Deep sorrow has descended on the hometown of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho and prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8, following news of his death. His ancestral house is in the Khasmahal area of Nalchhiti municipality in Jhalokathi.
At the same time, protesters, including July Uprising veterans, National Coordination Party (NCP), and Gana Adhikar Parishad activists, staged a blockade on the Dhaka–Jhalokathi highway at College Mor, demanding the immediate arrest of Hadi’s killers.
Upon hearing the news, Hadi’s relatives, neighbors, and well-wishers rushed to his home, filling the area with grief and wailing. Due to security concerns, the family did not meet anyone or speak to the media on Thursday night. Police said family contact was being limited considering the situation. Family members are expected to speak to relatives and locals on Friday morning.
Local residents, classmates, and supporters expressed anger over Hadi’s killing and demanded that the perpetrators be swiftly identified, arrested, and punished.
The blockade on the Dhaka–Jhalokathi highway, which started at 11:30 pm on Thursday, brought traffic to a standstill in both directions, affecting buses, trucks, and goods vehicles from Dhaka, Barishal, and Khulna. Passengers and commuters faced severe inconvenience during the night.
Protesters said Hadi’s murder was premeditated, and despite the time elapsed since the incident, there has been no effective progress in apprehending the killers. They warned that the movement would continue until justice is served.
NCP Jhalokathi district convenor Mainul Islam Manna said Hadi, a well-known revolutionary and patriotic figure after the July Uprising, had not received adequate security. He called the killing not merely a personal tragedy, but an attempt to silence a voice of ideals and protest.
Osman Hadi was the son of the late Sharif Maulana Abdul Hadi of the Ferrighat area in Nalchhiti. His sister, Mashuma Sultana bin Hadi, and brother-in-law Amir Hossain are currently at the family home, joined by relatives offering support.