Bangladesh observing day of mourning for slain activist Osman Hadi

The Inqilab Moncho convenor will be laid to rest after funeral prayers at 2pm at Parliament's South Plaza

File Photo

Bangladesh is observing a day of state mourning following the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot at close range in Dhaka earlier this month.

National flags were flown at half-mast at government offices, including the Secretariat in the capital, on Saturday after Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced the mourning day late on Thursday, shortly after news of Hadi’s death emerged.

Special prayers seeking for Hadi were held after Friday prayers at mosques across the country, while places of worship of other faiths also organised prayers in his memory.

Hadi, the convenor of the platform Inqilab Moncho, will be laid to rest following funeral prayers at 2pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex. The Chief Advisor’s Office has asked those attending not to carry bags or heavy items.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police said traffic would be suspended from Khejur Bagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue because of the expected large turnout.

In a statement on social media, Inqilab Moncho said the decision to bury Hadi beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam had been taken in line with the family’s wishes.

Hadi’s body arrived in Dhaka from Singapore on Friday and was kept at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases before funeral arrangements.

Hadi, who had announced plans to run as an independent for the Dhaka-8 seat, was shot on Dec 12 while travelling by rickshaw in the capital's Bijoynagar area. Police said two assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene.

Critically injured, Hadi was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to a private hospital in the capital. He was flown to Singapore by air ambulance on Dec 15 for advanced treatment, where he died on Thursday.

Hadi’s death triggered protests in Dhaka and other parts of the country, raising concerns over security and law and order as Bangladesh prepares for national elections.