United News of Bangladesh

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.

A house belonging to Awami league’s former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel was set on fire in Chattogram on Thursday night amid protests over the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi. The incident took place around 11:00 pm in the Chashmahill area of the city, where agitated protesters torched a motorcycle inside the house, which also belongs to former Chattogram mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury. Earlier, students and activists under the banner of Inqilab Moncho staged a protest rally at Soloshahar No. 2 Gate, demanding punishment for those involved in Hadi’s killing. The protesters later marched toward Mayor Goli, where the arson incident occurred. Another group of protesters simultaneously held a demonstration and sit-in program in front of the Indian government mission office in the Khurshi area of the city. Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station Md Solaiman said around 200 protesters gathered in the Soloshahar and No. 2 Gate areas to protest the killing of Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi. “They later marched toward Mayor Goli and set a motorcycle on fire at the house of former education minister and Awami League leader Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel. Police were present and attempted to bring the situation under control,” the OC said. No casualties were reported, and police said the situation was under control at the time of filing this report.

Protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway on Thursday night to demand justice for the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho. The blockade took place at the Choumatha area from 10:30 pm to 11:45 pm, disrupting road communication between the capital Dhaka and the southern region, including tourist spots like Kuakata and the Payra port. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway during the protest. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding punishment for Hadi’s killers and opposing Indian imperialism. The protest ended after the blockade was lifted at 11:45 pm.Al Mamun Ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said the situation has now returned to normal as protesters dispersed from the highway.

Students and local residents held a protest march demanding justice for the death of Inqilab Moncho convenor Osman Hadi and the arrest of those responsible. The march began in the northern Temuhani area and proceeded through the main streets of the town, ending in southern Temuhani, on Thursday night. Protesters called for a fair investigation into Hadi’s death, swift apprehension of the culprits, and exemplary punishment. Participants raised various slogans condemning the incident.

A journalist was shot dead and another person injured when armed assailants opened fire at a tea stall in the Sholua Bazar area under Aranghata Police Station of Khulna city on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Emdadul Haque Milon, 45, who worked for an online news portal and also served as general secretary of the Sholua Bazar Development Committee. The injured, Debashish Biswas, 30, is a local veterinary doctor. The incident occurred around 10:00 pm at a tea shop in the market. Milon was shot in the head and died on the spot, while Debashish sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where his condition was reported to be critical. Eyewitnesses said four assailants arrived at the tea stall on two motorcycles and fired several blank shots, causing panic among people in the area. As locals fled, two of the attackers entered the tea shop and shot Milon at point-blank range. They then shot Debashish before fleeing the scene. Milon is the son of Md Bazlur Rahman of Sholua Bazar, while Debashish is the son of Rabindranath Biswas of the same area. Khulna Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Media) TMR Roknuzzaman confirmed that two people were shot in the incident, one of whom died, while the other remains under treatment. Additional Deputy Commissioner (North) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Amit Kumar Barman said police were investigating the motive behind the killing. “We have learned that Milon was a journalist and a local organization leader. The cause of the attack is yet to be determined,” he said. Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible.

Police recovered the body of a 60-year-old man, Abdul Hakim Hawladar, from a room at Hotel Park in the Folpatti area of Barishal on Thursday at around 12:30pm. The deceased, a resident of South Kajolakathi Daryal Union in Bakerganj, had been working at the hotel as a guard for around 40 years. Hotel staff said he had been unwell for several days due to cold-related illness. He had eaten dinner on Wednesday night and then went to the staff room, from which he did not emerge. Hotel owner Mahmudul Hasan Shawon said he entered his room after dinner and did not come out, prompting staff to alert the police. Sub-Inspector Selim of Kotwali Model Police Station said the body was sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SHEBACHIM) morgue for further examination.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser on Home and Agriculture Affairs, said no force can hinder elections when the people are determined to vote. He made the remark on Thursday afternoon while visiting Rajdia Abdul Jabbar Pilot Girls’ High School in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj. After inspecting various development works at the school and inaugurating the foundation of a new building, he spoke to journalists. He also added that if political parties engage in competitive coexistence, it will have a positive impact on the country’s democracy. The Home and Agriculture Adviser said journalists play the most important role during elections. “If you report objectively and provide the public with accurate information, a credible election can be ensured,” he added. He also appealed to the public through the media to pray for the speedy recovery of Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncho, so that he can return to society soon. On agriculture, he noted that many farmers faced losses in potato cultivation this season, yet they are returning to potato farming. “The government is seriously considering incentives for them,” he said. Prayers most needed for Hadi now: Home Adviser He added that despite losses in potatoes, this year’s rice production has shown good results. Earlier, the Adviser visited several educational institutions in Sirajdikhan upazila, including Bikrampur Kunjabehari Government College, Ichhapura Government Model High School, Kusumpur High School, and Kusumpur Government Primary School, inspecting their development activities. He was accompanied by DIG of Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallick, Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi, Superintendent of Police Menhazul Alam, Sirajdikhan Upazila Executive Officer Rumpa Ghosh, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Tauhidul Islam Bari, Upazila Engineer Asif Ullah, and other officials.  

Students held a long march towards the office of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Khulna on Wednesday afternoon. The march began around 3:30 pm from Royal Mor and moved along Shamsur Rahman Road carrying banners, festoons and chanting slogans. The joint force of police, RAB, and army personnel stationed in front of the Civil Surgeon’s office tried to stop the march as the protesters broke through the barricades and moved forward. At the same time, the demonstrators sat on the road while chanting in front of the newly built convention center. After staying there for about half an hour, they resumed the march back toward Royal Mor. During the assembly held while stationed on Shamsur Rahman Road, speakers alleged that some Bangladeshi criminals taking shelter in India are involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the country. They also claimed that suspects in several recent killings and violent attacks fled to India and demanded their immediate return to Bangladesh. Arms manufacturing den busted in Khulna, 3 held The speakers warned that if the accused are not returned by December 25, they will announce stronger actions. They described the protest as a “clear message” to the relevant authorities. The event was attended by leaders of the Anti-Domination Alliance, including Ahmad Hamim Rahat, Minan Mushfiq, Romjan Sheikh, Miraj Hossain, Mohammad Tanmoy, Fayzullah Shakil, Shammi Islam, Saeed Newaz, Mirajul Islam and Moharam Hossain Mahim.    

A union-level BNP leader shot dead in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna district on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Biru Molla, 60, son of late Abul Molla and convener of Luxmikunda union unit of  BNP. Victim’s son Rajib Molla said, on Tuesday night local Awami League Zahurul Molla, also cousin of Biru Mollah, along with his son Al Amin Molla, forcibly cut soil from Biru Molla’s land for use in a brick kiln. When Biru Molla went to ask Zahurul Molla about the soil cutting at around 9:15 am on Wednesday, Zahurul and his son Al Amin became enraged and immediately shot Biru Molla in the head with an illegal firearm. Biru Molla collapsed on the spot and was rushed by locals to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty physician, Dr Tasnim Tamanna Swarna, declared him dead. Former Ishwardi upazila BNP member secretary Ajmal Hossain Sujon said those responsible for killing his party leader must be brought to justice immediately. 2 youths die after consuming alcohol in Pabna “This is not a party issue. Deceased Biru Molla was the first cousin of the accused Zahurul Molla. The incident occurred over soil cutting,” he added. Mominuzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ishwardi Police Station, said that necessary legal action would be taken following investigation. “As of 3:30 pm on Wednesday no case had been filed,” the OC added.    

Two police personnel were killed when a covered van hit the motorbike they were riding in Bheramara upazila of Kushtia on Tuesday. The deceased were Inspector Mojaharul Islam and ASI Koyed Uddin, both posted at Ishwardi DSB in Pabna district. Officer-in-Charge of Choudhahas Highway Police Station Abu Obaid said when the victims were coming from Ishwardi towards Kushtia the covered van hit the motorbike around 12 pm , leaving both police personnel dead on the spot. Abu Obaid added that preparations are underway to send the bodies to Kushtia General Hospital.