In a crucial breakthrough amidst escalating unrest, Bangladesh police have arrested Himon Rahman Shikdar, an activist believed to be involved in the assassination of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Shikdar, identified as a Jubo League member in Adabar Thana, was apprehended at a hotel in the Adabar area. Authorities indicated that Shikdar and his network were allegedly planning destructive actions, and efforts are underway to apprehend any remaining accomplices.
During the arrest operation, police confiscated a cache of weapons and materials, including a foreign-made pistol, live rounds, gunpowder, and various incendiary devices. This seizure underscores the serious nature of the alleged conspiracy and the potential threat posed by the apprehended group. The assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old influential activist and founder of Inqilab Moncho, has deeply shaken Bangladesh. Hadi was shot during election campaigning in Dhaka and succumbed to his injuries on December 18th. His activism against the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina positioned him as a key figure in political discourse.
Hadi’s death triggered widespread protests across the nation, marked by intense public anger and sorrow. Allegations have surfaced that the interim government failed to protect Hadi and that his killers might have escaped to India, fueling further demands for justice. India has formally requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hadi’s murder, citing the emergence of anti-India sentiments following the incident. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has denounced the spread of misinformation and stressed the need for a transparent probe, regretting the lack of substantive information shared by the interim government.