Students under the banner of Inquilab Mancha again blocked Shahbagh intersection on Saturday, demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi and the arrest of prime accused Faisal Karim.
The blockade began around 12:37 pm, disrupting traffic at the key intersection.
Protesters said they had temporarily moved away from Shahbagh in the morning to avoid disorder during BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s visit to Hadi’s grave, taking position in front of Aziz Super Market. They returned to Shahbagh, which they call Shaheed Hadi Chattar, immediately after the visit ended and resumed the blockade.
Chanting slogans such as “Bangladesh’s azadi—Osman Hadi” and “We want the hanging of killer Faisal,” protesters said they would not leave the streets until those responsible for the killing are brought to justice, insisting that the main planner and prime accused be produced immediately.
The blockade and protests at Shahbagh have continued since Friday after Juma prayers, with Inquilab Moncho calling on people nationwide to join the movement in solidarity.
On 12 December, two assailants riding a motorcycle shot Hadi on Box Culvert Road in the capital’s Bijoynagar area. He later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Singapore on 18 December.
Hadi was a prospective independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
