Protesters demanding justice for the killing of Osman Hadi have announced that a new set of programmes would be unveiled on Saturday.
The demonstrators left the Shahbag intersection at around 10:30pm on Friday.
Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, called on protesters to vacate Shahbag, saying the organisation would announce its next course of action the following day and proceed accordingly.
Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Social Welfare Secretary AB Zobayer and Cultural Secretary Mosaddeque Ibne Saikat were present during the withdrawal.
Earlier in the evening, Inqilab Moncho claimed in a Facebook post that activists of the Awami League had become active and were attempting to divert the movement by blending in with the general public.
The post also alleged efforts to undermine the demand for justice in Hadi’s killing and disrupt the electoral process, urging demonstrators to move to safer locations.
Earlier in the day, leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho began marching toward Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Adviser, demanding an investigation into the killing and punishment of those responsible.
Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd as protesters attempted to break through barricades.
At around 3:50pm, protesters advanced from the InterContinental intersection toward Jamuna. When police blocked their progress, clashes broke out, with law enforcement again deploying water cannons and tear gas.
The protesters later regrouped at Banglamotor, where further confrontations occurred, including chases and incidents of brick-throwing.
In the evening, at around 7:30pm, a group of protesters moved from Shahbag toward Hotel InterContinental but were stopped by police, who used batons and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
The protesters later returned to Shahbag at around 9:30pm before eventually leaving the area.
Inqilab Moncho claimed that during the clashes Abdullah Al Jaber was shot and several activists, including Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar, were injured.
Many of the injured were treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Despite the police action, Inqilab Moncho said the movement would continue and warned that students and activists would intensify their protests until justice is ensured.
