Inqilab Moncho launches sit-in at Chattogram intersection demanding justice for Hadi killing

The protest comes amid a similar demonstration ongoing in Dhaka’s Shahbagh since Friday

Inqilab Moncho activists have occupied the New Market intersection in Chattogram, announcing a sit-in programme to press for justice for the murder of their slain leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

The demonstration started after 4pm on Saturday, attracting large crowds of people to the event after 5pm.

The protesters were shouting slogans such as “Justice, justice; we want justice”, “Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka”, and “Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar”.

The protest comes a day after the platform’s members in Dhaka occupied the Shahbagh intersection over the same demand and continued their movement through Saturday.

“We have only one demand, and that is justice for Hadi’s murder,” said Rafsan Rakib, convenor of the platform’s Chattogram chapter.

He said the demonstration might continue if their central leaders want it to last longer.

The demonstrators alleged that the interim government was wasting time in apprehending the Hadi killers.

Hadi, an independent election hopeful in the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot on Dec 12 while campaigning at Dhaka’s Bijoynagar. He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later transferred to Evercare Hospital, and then flown to Singapore for treatment. He died there on Dec 18.

Following a state-managed funeral prayer at the South Plaza of parliament on Dec 20, Hadi was buried next to the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.