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New Delhi: A day after massive protests rocked Bangladesh over prominent youth leader Osman Hadi, his funeral will be held in the country on Saturday amid heightened security. Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is expected to attend the last rites of the youth leader.
Bangladesh witnessed widespread protests on Friday, a day after Hadi passed away while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform and a candidate in the upcoming February 12 general elections, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 by masked gunmen. He was among the leaders who were part of the student-led protests last year, termed as the July Uprising.
Soon after Yunus confirmed Hadi's death, his supporters in large numbers took to the streets and set ablaze the offices of two leading media houses -- Prothom Alo and Daily Star -- and attacked an office of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party.
Where will the funeral be held?
The funeral will be held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 2 pm, the press wing of the interim government of Bangladesh has announced. To avoid any unforeseen situation, the interim government has stepped up security near the funeral venue.
Inquilab Mancha, in a social media post on Friday, said, "Upon the family's wishes, a decision has been taken to bury Hadi beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and to hold his funeral prayer after Zuhr tomorrow at Manik Mia Avenue."
Bangladesh unrest
Hadi's death triggered unrest in Bangladesh with protesters setting ablaze the offices of the two media houses, vandalising Bangabandhu Memorial Museum with hammers in Dhaka, and pelting stones at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram.
The body of the youth leader arrived from Singapore around 6pm on Friday amid tight security. Bangladesh’s interim government urged citizens to resist violence by “fringe elements” after the arrival of Hadi's mortal remains in the country.
US' advisory for its citizens in Bangladesh
The US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday issued an advisory, urging American citizens in Bangladesh to exercise caution, warning that "gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence". The mission advised them to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also issued a travel advisory, urging British citizens to avoid travel, unless very essential, to the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, citing reports of violence and other criminal activity, particularly in remote parts.
