Violent unrest swept through the capital after news broke that Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and independent Dhaka-8 candidate Sharif Osman Hadi died while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
Angry mobs stormed the offices of two leading newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, on Thursday evening. Footage circulating on social media shows a large crowd breaking through security at The Daily Star complex on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, smashing the glass façade with stones and crude weapons, and setting fires outside the building. Earlier, Prothom Alo’s office was attacked, leaving significant damage.
The army has since been deployed to restore order.
Background: Hadi’s Death Sparks Unrest
Hadi, a firebrand political figure who rose to prominence during the July Uprising, was shot in the head on 12 December in Dhaka’s Paltan area while travelling in a battery-run auto-rickshaw. He was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital as his condition worsened.
On 15 December, an air ambulance carried him to Singapore General Hospital, where he remained in critical condition. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan visited him on 17 December, underscoring the gravity of his situation. Hadi succumbed to his injuries on 18 December.
Investigation and Arrests
Law enforcement agencies have detained at least 10 people in connection with the attack, including prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud’s parents, wife, and close associate Kabir. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered firearms and ammunition used in the shooting from Narsingdi on 16 December.
On 17 December, Faisal’s parents gave confessional statements before a Dhaka court regarding the attempted murder case.
Political Context
Hadi, originally from Nalchity, Jhalakathi, studied political science at Dhaka University and first gained national attention during the 2024 anti-discrimination protests. His Rampura residence became a hub of activism during the July Uprising. A fierce critic of the Awami League regime, he was contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election.
On 14 November, Hadi publicly revealed he had received death threats, arson threats against his home, and threats of sexual violence against his family.
Aftermath
His death has triggered widespread anger among supporters, with protests erupting at Shahbagh before spiraling into violent attacks on media institutions. The interim government now faces mounting pressure to contain unrest and ensure accountability in the high-profile assassination case.
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