Inqilab Moncho has announced an uninterrupted seven-hour blockade programme from Sunday 11am in eight divisional cities across the country, demanding justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan have assured that the charge sheet in the Hadi murder case will be submitted within the next 10 days.
The announcement of the blockade programme was made by Inqilab Moncho’s Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber around 11:30pm on Saturday night.
Shortly before this, DMP Commissioner and the Information Advisor addressed the protesters at Shahbagh, briefing them on the progress of the investigation into Hadi’s killing and mentioning the timeline for submitting the charge sheet.
However, rejecting this assurance, Inqilab Moncho demanded the charge sheet within 3 working days and the completion of the trial proceedings within 26 working days.
Announcing the programme, Abdullah Al Jaber said, “Today we have only blockaded Shahbagh. From tomorrow [Sunday] at 11am, we are announcing a blockade programme in the eight divisions of the country. There will be no compromise with Osman Hadi’s blood.”
He further stated, “For the last few days, we have been receiving death threats through various media. We do not fear any death. The police or any intelligence agency will not provide us security – we must ensure our own security.”
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali said, “We are optimistic that the charge sheet in this case will be submitted within the next 10 days, that is, by 7 January.”
He informed that significant progress has been made in unravelling the mystery of Hadi’s killing, and that 10 people have been arrested so far for the sake of the investigation. Those arrested include assailant Faisal’s father, mother, wife, brother-in-law, and other associates.
He also stated that during the investigation, two pistols, a motorcycle, and a mysterious signed cheque for Tk 218 crore have been recovered.
The DMP commissioner further said it is not possible to disclose all information at this moment for the sake of the investigation, as it could alert the criminals. A press conference by the DB chief on Sunday at 11:15am will provide detailed updates on the investigation’s progress.
Information and Broadcasting Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “The Indian government has been clearly informed through diplomatic efforts. The Indian government has promised – if Hadi’s killer is found in India, they will extend their full cooperation to Bangladesh.”
She also assured that if the perpetrators are residing abroad, they will be tried in absentia.
Addressing the protesters, she further stated that the swift trial of this murder will be completed during the interim government’s tenure.
Citing the example of the Asiya murder case, she said it was possible to complete the trial there within six working days, so maximum effort will be made to conclude the trial for Hadi’s murder in the shortest possible time.
It may be noted that Abdullah Al Jaber formally announced the programme after DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali and Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke with the protesters.
However, Jaber mentioned that Inqilab Moncho had made this decision around 8pm.
