The Inqilab Moncho has urged everyone “not to fall into the trap of instigation” following the death of the platform’s convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. He was initially taken in critical condition to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital, where he received intensive care. On Dec 15, Hadi was flown to Singapore by air ambulance for advanced medical treatment. COFFIN TO BE TAKEN AT DUAfter Hadi’s coffin reaches Dhaka, it will be taken to the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Inqilab Moncho says the flight carrying Hadi’s mortal remains will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 6pm.

Students and general people staged a protest march titled ‘Long March to Border’ at the Benapole international checkpost zero point on Friday, demanding the arrest of the killers of Iquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The protest procession began around 11am from Benapole municipal market area and ended at the Benapole checkpost zero point, where a brief rally was held. During the rally, protesters chanted slogans for Hadi and his platform, vowing to remain on the streets until the dreams of Hadi are fulfilled. The programme was led by former teacher Abdur Mannan, local convenor of the student movement. The speakers said Hadi had continued his struggle against the Awami League, hegemonic forces and what they termed Indian aggression, and vowed that the movement would continue until the goals are achieved.

The interim government has declared state mourning on Saturday over Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi’s death, who was shot in the head by assailants. In a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said the state will bear all responsibilities for the wife and child of Hadi, who died in Singaporeon Thursday night. He urged citizens not to take “rash decisions”, and requested them to show restraint in their actions.

A notice published on the commission’s website on Thursday said applications must be submitted by Jan 17. This time, the EC has registered 81 observation organisations ahead of the elections. Domestic observation organisations have been asked to apply by Dec 21. The EC notice said anyone with questions or seeking further information should contact the public relations director of the Secretariat. Akhtar said on Wednesday the European Union (EU) will send “175 to 200” observers to the elections.

The family of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman Hadi has given its permission for doctors in Singapore to proceed with a surgery as he remains in “life or death” condition. Inqilab Moncho said in a post on Thursday that Hadi stands at the crossroads of life and death. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is regularly in touch with the chief advisor and is making inquiries about Hadi, it said. Hadi has been undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital since Monday. He was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, underwent emergency surgery, and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital.

Sajjad Hossain, alias Chhoto Sajjad, a notorious criminal in Chattogram, has secured bail from the top court in three more cases. Although bail orders have been arriving one after another at Chattogram Jail, Sajjad is currently in Rajshahi Central Jail. He is known in the port city's Bayezid, Oxygen, and Chandgaon areas as “Chhoto Sajjad” or “Burir Nati”, a follower of the other Sajjad Hossain, a proclaimed offender known as “Boro Sajjad” who fled abroad. As his follower, Chhoto Sajjad would extort money in Bayezid and Chandgaon on his behalf. The commissioner added, “Chhoto Sajjad carried out his extortion, killings and other criminal activities under the patronage and protection of Sajjad, who is currently living in Dubai."

Domestic aide Ayesha Akhter has given a confessional statement to the court in connection with the murder of a mother and her teenage daughter in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, after her husband confessed earlier. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam recorded her confessional statement following an application by the investigation officer. The following day, the court ordered six days of questioning in police custody for Ayesha and three days for Rabby. After Ayesha’s six-day remand ended on Wednesday, Mohammadpur Police Sub-Inspector Shahidul Osman Masum produced her in court. He had been living in the Mohammadpur flat with his wife and their only daughter for about 13 years.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained the father of Faisal Karim Masud, the key suspect in the attack on Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi, as the investigation into the attempted killing intensifies. After the detention, the RAB said it had recovered two firearms from Narsingdi and brought Faisal’s mother to its office for questioning. “Of these, one pistol is suspected to have been used in the attack on Hadi.”RAB’s spokesperson said further details would be shared later. Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber lodged the case. Gravely wounded, Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for surgery and later admitted to Evercare Hospital the same night.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is set to address the nation on the occasion of Victory Day. The speech will be broadcast simultaneously on state-run Bangladesh Television, BTV News and Bangladesh Betar at 6:30pm on Tuesday, the Chief Advisor's Office said.

The 1971 Liberation War was actually a “crackdown” by Pakistan on the "Mujib Bahini", which had carried out “genocide” prior to Mar 25, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Chattogram city chief Mohammad Nazrul Islam has said. He also remarked that the intellectuals in Bangladesh were killed on Dec 14 in 1971 according to an Indian army “plan”. Calling for black chapters in history to be opened to the public, Nazrul said: “Mujib Bahini basically carried out genocide before Mar 25 in many areas. Pakistan deployed the army on Mar 25 for the crackdown in response to the genocide.”He said the nation was denied the true history over the past 54 years. He also called for discovering the history of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman passing comfortable time in jail by surrendering to Pakistan on the night of Mar 25.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Rebecca Sultana have hosted a reception at Bangabhaban to mark Victory Day, honouring valiant freedom fighters and family members of the Bir Sreshtho. The reception was held in the lawn outside Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon and was attended by advisors of the interim government, along with senior government, military and civilian officials, and citizens. During the event, the president cut a cake along with the chief justice, advisors, the chief election commissioner and the three service chiefs. The president also exchanged greetings with injured freedom fighters and other guests.

Expressing his determination to take Bangladesh forward on the path of reform, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam says, “Bangladesh will never return to where it was before Aug 5.”He said, “We are united against the brokers of 1971. He also commented that the “fallen fascist forces” are trying to destabilise Bangladesh and sabotage the upcoming parliamentary elections. He said, “The people of this land have fought for centuries for freedom, for their human dignity, for sovereignty. In 1971, we had to go through a people’s war. He said he was determined to build a new Bangladesh by “holding to” the historical struggles of 1947 to 1971 and 2024.

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief Nahid Islam has raised alarms over the capability of the country’s intelligence agencies following the attack on Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi. On Monday, Nahid said the country’s intelligence agencies were used to “suppress all opposition” for the past 16 years. But since Aug 5, their skills seem to have vanished. Nahid stressed that the focus should not be limited to the advisor’s position; the effectiveness of the intelligence agencies also needs scrutiny. We must discuss the deep state behind these operations and the functioning of our intelligence agencies.”

At least 20 people have suffered injuries in repeated clashes between the Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP activists in Bhola’s Char Fasson Upazila. The incident occurred at Chawkbazar in Zinnagor Union on Monday, according to Char Fasson Police chief (OC) Jahangir Badsha. The clash escalated further when the injured were brought to the Upazila Health Complex, where members from both parties again confronted each other on the hospital grounds. Police eventually arrived and brought the situation under control.

A Dhaka court has granted police five days to question senior journalist Anis Alamgir in custody in an anti-terror case. Earlier in the day, Shahriar Ali, deputy police commissioner of the Uttara Division, said Anis was shown arrested in the case. “A case has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act,” said Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed, chief of Uttara West Police. “The complaint accuses them of spreading several types of propaganda on social media and television talk shows in favour of the Awami League. Nearly 13 hours after that, police say the complaint has been filed as a case.