A large number of people gathered in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, to attend the absentee funeral (gayebana janaza) of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inkilab Manch. Two separate funeral prayers were held—first at the Ukhiya Central Shaheed Minar grounds at 2 p.m. and later at the busy Kotbazar Station at 3 p.m.—drawing participants from various political and social organizations.

Local leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP paid tribute to Osman Hadi, describing him as a courageous and principled organizer whose contributions to society would be remembered. They expressed condolences to his bereaved family and prayed for his departed soul. Police maintained heightened vigilance to ensure public order during the gatherings.

According to Ukhiya Police Station’s officer-in-charge, additional forces were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents, and both events concluded peacefully. Osman Hadi’s death has cast a shadow of mourning across Ukhiya, with condolences pouring in from multiple quarters.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition during an operation in the Pallabi area on Friday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, officers from Pallabi Police Station discovered three revolvers, 73 rounds of live ammunition, a revolver cover, a machete, and two small knives abandoned on the third floor of an old City Corporation market building in Mirpur-11, Block-C.

Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman of the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division confirmed the recovery in a press release. He stated that the weapons were found in an abandoned state and that an investigation is underway to trace their origin and identify those involved. The discovery follows a series of recent police operations aimed at curbing illegal arms circulation in Dhaka.

Authorities believe the seizure may help uncover links to local criminal networks. Police have increased surveillance in the area and are analyzing forensic evidence to determine whether the weapons were intended for future criminal activities.

Police in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, have arrested four individuals in two separate cases, including two local Awami League leaders accused of vandalizing a Jamaat-e-Islami office. The arrests took place on Friday night, when officers detained Ranjit Sarkar, general secretary of ward no. 4 of Kamaradaha Union Awami League, and Sajjadul Mondol Saju, joint general secretary of Darbasta Union Jubo League, from their homes.

According to police, both leaders are accused in a case related to the vandalism of the Jamaat office in Gobindaganj upazila. In a separate operation earlier that day, police arrested two alleged drug traffickers with five kilograms of cannabis from a passenger bus on the Dhaka–Rangpur highway near Chapriganj.

Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque confirmed that separate cases have been filed under the Penal Code and the Narcotics Control Act. All four detainees were sent to Gaibandha District Jail following court orders. The incidents highlight ongoing political and criminal law enforcement challenges in the region.

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Dhaka on Saturday to attend the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha. Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on December 12 after surviving an assassination attempt earlier this month. His body was brought back to Bangladesh on December 19, and the funeral was held near the National Parliament complex under tight security, attended by interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus and political leaders from across the spectrum.

International media outlets including Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, and TRT World covered the massive turnout, describing it as a reflection of national grief and unity. Reports noted that Hadi was buried beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, symbolizing his perceived contribution to the country’s democratic struggle. Several outlets highlighted Bangladesh’s official day of mourning and the heightened security presence.

Observers say the unprecedented public response underscores Hadi’s symbolic role in the pro-democracy movement and may influence the political climate ahead of the next national election.

A Chakma man named Shankuching, aged 35, was abducted by an armed group while farming on a hillside in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday afternoon. Another local farmer, 60-year-old Ebadullah, narrowly escaped the attack and reported the incident to police after fleeing the scene.

According to Ebadullah, around 20 to 30 armed assailants suddenly surrounded them during fieldwork and forcibly took Shankuching away. The attackers reportedly fired two rounds of gunshots as Ebadullah ran for his life. Teknaf Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Islam confirmed that a police team was dispatched immediately and that an investigation is underway.

Authorities suspect the involvement of local hill-based armed groups active near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Law enforcement agencies have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further incidents and locate the abducted farmer.

Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Manch, alleged that the killing of Osman Hadi was carried out by an organized criminal group rather than a lone assailant. Speaking before Hadi’s funeral prayer near the National Parliament complex on Saturday, Jaber criticized the government for failing to arrest any suspects or provide a clear assurance a week after the shooting.

Jaber demanded that Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Box Chowdhury publicly disclose within 24 hours what steps had been taken in the past week. He warned that failure to do so should lead to their resignation. He also called for identifying alleged collaborators within civil and military intelligence agencies.

The Inquilab Manch leader urged supporters to remain peaceful and await official instructions from the organization, while emphasizing that Hadi’s death would not go unpunished. The group announced plans for a gathering at Shahbagh following the funeral rites.

Authorities in Chattogram have dismissed social media claims of an attack on the Indian Deputy High Commission, confirming that no such incident occurred. The rumors spread after the death of Osman Hadi on December 19, prompting brief protests near the diplomat’s residence. Police said a few stones were thrown at the outer gate but there was no intrusion, vandalism, or fire. Law enforcement quickly restored order and reinforced security around diplomatic premises.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz visited the site and met with the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, assuring that the situation was under control. Security analyst Professor M Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University warned that spreading false information about sensitive diplomatic sites could be part of a deliberate destabilization strategy. He urged authorities to issue unified, fact-based briefings immediately after such incidents.

Experts emphasized that unchecked misinformation can harm Bangladesh’s international image and fuel unnecessary public anxiety. Strengthening media verification and responsible political communication was recommended to prevent future disinformation crises.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered an emotional address at the funeral of martyred political activist Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Yunus said the nation had not come to bid farewell but to reaffirm Hadi’s enduring presence in the hearts of Bangladeshis. He praised Hadi’s contributions to democratic movements and vowed that his ideals would guide the country’s progress.

The funeral drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including interim government advisers, senior officials, and citizens from all walks of life. Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain and Inqilab Mancha’s Abdullah Al Jaber also spoke, recalling Hadi’s leadership and humanist vision. Yunus emphasized adopting Hadi’s approach to fair elections and civic engagement, pledging that future generations would uphold his values.

The event underscored Hadi’s symbolic role in Bangladesh’s political conscience. His death has sparked renewed calls for unity and moral leadership amid ongoing national transitions. Authorities confirmed that investigations into his killing are continuing.

Bangladesh witnessed an unprecedented public gathering on Saturday as millions attended the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch and a key figure in the July movement. The funeral prayer took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, followed by burial beside poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave at Dhaka University. The event drew people from across the country, turning central Dhaka into a sea of mourners. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, political leaders, and diplomats joined the ceremony, expressing grief and pledging to continue Hadi’s struggle for justice and sovereignty.

Hadi, 32, died in a Singapore hospital after being shot in Dhaka on December 12. His death has sparked widespread outrage, with his supporters demanding the arrest of those responsible. Dr. Yunus called Hadi a symbol of national pride, while Hadi’s brother urged exemplary punishment for the killers. Following the funeral, protesters at Shahbagh issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the Home Adviser’s resignation, warning of intensified demonstrations if demands remain unmet.

The massive turnout underscored Hadi’s influence among youth and the growing frustration over political violence and impunity in Bangladesh.

The Commonwealth has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, who died in Singapore after being shot in Dhaka on December 12. In a statement issued on December 20, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey conveyed condolences to Hadi’s family and the people of Bangladesh, describing the situation in the country as deeply concerning following recent violent incidents.

Botchwey urged Bangladesh’s interim government to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of all citizens, including journalists. She welcomed the government’s pledge to bring those responsible for violence to justice and called for restraint, responsibility, and rejection of hatred. Her remarks come amid heightened political tension and public mourning across Bangladesh.

Observers note that the Commonwealth’s statement reflects growing international attention to Bangladesh’s internal stability. The organization’s call for peace and accountability may influence diplomatic engagement and domestic responses in the coming weeks.

A massive funeral prayer for Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, was held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament. The event drew millions of mourners, marking one of the largest public gatherings in the nation’s history since the funeral of former President Ziaur Rahman. Attendees included members of the interim government, political leaders from various parties, foreign diplomats, and citizens from all walks of life.

Security was unprecedented, with police, RAB, Ansar, and army personnel deployed across Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas. Over a thousand body-worn cameras and advanced surveillance technologies were used to maintain order. Hadi’s body was brought to the site in a large mourning procession before being buried beside national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University Mosque Complex.

Hadi, who was shot on December 12 during an election campaign in Bijoynagar, succumbed to his injuries in Singapore on December 18. His death has sparked widespread mourning and renewed discussions on political violence and national unity.

Samsul Islam Haidar, a centenarian and veteran of Bangladesh’s 1952 Language Movement, passed away late Friday night while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. He was a resident of Saitkahan village in Chandipasha Union under Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj district. His funeral prayer was held on Saturday afternoon at Saitkahan Government Primary School field, followed by burial at his family graveyard.

Haidar was among the early activists who took part in the historic Language Movement that secured Bangla as a state language. He also served as the founding president of the Kaliyachapra Sugar Mill Workers’ Union in Pulerghat. Family members said he had been suffering from age-related complications for a long time and was first admitted to Kishoreganj’s Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka.

His death has cast a shadow of mourning across the local community, with residents remembering him as a dedicated activist and respected elder who contributed to both the labor movement and the nation’s linguistic heritage.

Hundreds gathered at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament and Manik Mia Avenue to bid farewell to Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth activist killed during the July Revolution protests. Among the mourners were young people from Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities, reflecting a rare moment of interfaith unity in grief and respect. Many also joined demonstrations at Shahbagh demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

Aditya Chowdhury, a Hindu student from Northern University, attended the funeral alongside his Christian friend Arnab D’Cruz from Notre Dame University. Chowdhury described Hadi as a brother beyond religious boundaries, saying his death had shaken the conscience of the youth. Another friend, Hridita Das, joined protests calling for the arrest of those responsible.

Observers note that Hadi’s funeral has become a symbol of cross-community solidarity and youth activism in Bangladesh. Calls for justice continue to grow, with civil society urging authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further violence against demonstrators.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.N. Nasir Uddin will hold a high-level meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force on Sunday, December 21, to review nationwide security preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and related referendum. The meeting is scheduled for noon at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka.

According to Election Commission sources, the CEC will also meet senior law enforcement officials later that afternoon to coordinate security measures. Election commissioners, senior military officers, and police representatives are expected to attend. The discussions will focus on maintaining law and order, troop deployment strategies, and ensuring a peaceful voting environment.

The meeting comes amid heightened political activity and public attention on election security. Officials say the coordination between the armed forces and law enforcement agencies is crucial to prevent unrest and ensure voter confidence. Further briefings are expected following the meetings to outline the Commission’s final security roadmap.

A Dhaka court on Saturday ordered Anis Alamgir to be sent to jail following the completion of a five-day police remand in a case filed under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasan Shahadat issued the order after the investigating officer, DB Inspector Kazi Shahnewaz, presented Alamgir before the court and sought his detention. The prosecution claimed that Alamgir provided important information during interrogation, which is now being verified.

Defense lawyers, led by Nazneen Nahar, requested that Alamgir receive division facilities in jail, which the court said would be handled according to prison regulations. The case, filed by a man named Arian Ahmed, accuses Alamgir and three others — actress Meher Afroz Shaon, model Maria Kispatta, and presenter Imtu Ratish Imtiaz — of conspiring to destabilize the state and inciting a banned organization through social media and talk shows.

The incident has drawn public attention due to Alamgir’s outspoken political commentary on television and Facebook. Authorities indicated that further remand could be sought if new evidence emerges.