Preparations have been underway since Friday night at Manik Mia Avenue and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area ahead of the funeral of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
People from different parts of the country gathered at Shahbagh on Friday in a mourning procession, while attendees began arriving at Manik Mia Avenue from Saturday morning. The crowd is expected to grow as the day progresses.
Those gathered at Shahbagh said Osman Hadi was a key figure in the July Mass Movement. They announced plans to hold a protest march and rally following the funeral, demanding justice over what they described as his murder. A temporary stage has been set up at Manik Mia Avenue for the rally.
A large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in and around the Parliament complex. Under the direction of the DMP commissioner, a tight security cordon has been imposed across the entire area, with officers remaining on high alert.
Security checkpoints have been set up at all entry points to Manik Mia Avenue. Law enforcement officials said no one will be allowed to enter with bags or heavy objects, and the use of drones has been completely banned in the area.
To maintain order amid large crowds, all types of vehicles were barred from entering Manik Mia Avenue from Khezur Bagan Crossing from 10am on Saturday. Traffic police have advised commuters to use alternative routes.
Meanwhile, following incidents of vandalism and arson linked to Hadi’s death, an unusual calm was observed across parts of Dhaka on Saturday morning. Traffic was thin on major roads and intersections, while many shops remained closed. Locals said people were avoiding travel unless necessary due to security concerns. Law enforcement patrols and checkpoints have been strengthened across the capital.
Osman Hadi’s funeral is scheduled to be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 2pm on Saturday. After the funeral, his body will be taken to the Dhaka University Central Mosque, where he will be buried beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
A day of state mourning is being observed nationwide on Saturday over his death, with the national flag flying at half-mast at government and private buildings across the country.
Osman Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants on a moving motorcycle on December 12 while heading to a public meeting in Bijoynagar. He sustained critical head injuries and was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being shifted to a private hospital. He was later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died. His body was brought back to Bangladesh and kept at the National Heart Institute morgue on Friday night.
