Dhaka, Feb 7 (V7N) — Police on Friday dispersed leaders and activists of Inqilab Mancha who were staging a sit-in near the state guest house Jamuna, demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi. Law enforcement used water cannons, sound grenades, tear gas, and batons to break up the protest, resulting in injuries to dozens of demonstrators.

According to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), around 60 injured protesters sought treatment at the hospital’s emergency department. DMCH Director Brigadier General Md. Asaduzzaman said none of the injured had sustained gunshot or pellet wounds.

Speaking at a briefing at around 8:30 pm on Friday, the hospital director said a significant number of Inqilab Mancha activists arrived at DMCH with injuries. Of the patients treated, about 30 had visible external injuries, including head, facial, and leg injuries caused by baton charges. Many others suffered inhalation injuries from tear gas and were given oxygen. He said none of the injured required hospital admission.

The director added that while the hospital had sufficient medical staff and facilities, managing crowds remained a major challenge, as many injured patients were accompanied by large groups of people, disrupting treatment. He said the emergency department had been expanded to accommodate up to 25 patients at a time, and more than 200 doctors were present at the hospital.

The protest began on Thursday afternoon, when Inqilab Mancha activists split into two groups and staged sit-ins near Jamuna and the InterContinental Hotel, demanding an impartial investigation into the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, the platform’s convener, under United Nations supervision. Police set up barricades in front of the InterContinental intersection to prevent protesters from advancing toward Jamuna.

On Friday afternoon, several individuals, including Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Jhuma, attempted to move toward Jamuna but were initially blocked by police. Although permission was later granted, they alleged being assaulted on the way and returned to their position.

Later, protesters stationed in front of the InterContinental Hotel attempted to break through police barricades and march toward Jamuna, prompting police to use water cannons. As tensions escalated, police deployed sound grenades, tear gas, and baton charges to regain control. Protesters responded by throwing bottles and bricks at police.

Several people, including Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber and DU spokesperson and DUCSU leader Fatima Tasnim Jhuma, were injured during the clashes and later received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Following the incident, Inqilab Mancha’s Facebook page claimed that Abdullah Al Jaber had been shot. However, both police and the interim government denied the claim.

Sharif Osman bin Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants on December 12 last year while traveling on a battery-powered rickshaw on Kalvert Road in Old Paltan. After being shot in the head, the attackers fled the scene on a motorcycle. Hadi was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18.

END/AJ/SMA/