Former Minister’s Mansion Destroyed in Violent Protest

In a dramatic escalation of unrest in the hill district of Bandarban, the residence of former Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing was set ablaze late on Thursday night, following the death of Osman Hadi, a prominent figure and spokesperson for the Inquilab movement. The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m., has sent shockwaves across the local community and drawn attention to simmering tensions in the region.

Local sources reported that after news of Osman Hadi’s passing at Singapore General Hospital reached Bandarban, enraged students and members of the public organised a late-night protest march through the town. The procession, which began in the bustling market area, proceeded through the Medhumpara neighbourhood before reaching Rajarmath, where the crowd turned their anger towards the former minister’s residence.

Protesters reportedly held Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing responsible for Hadi’s death, chanting slogans demanding his arrest and calling for justice. Amid the chaos, the crowd set fire to the property, causing substantial damage to the majority of the building. The scene reflected both the intensity of local grievances and the volatility of public sentiment in the wake of the death of a prominent activist.

Authorities, including the police, fire service, and military personnel, were quickly dispatched to the site. Fire service Senior Station Officer Iftikhar Uddin confirmed that a specialised unit worked through the night to bring the blaze under control, though he noted that the full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed. Eyewitnesses described flames engulfing much of the mansion before emergency responders managed to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Following the incident, the protesters gathered briefly at the traffic circle in Bandarban’s central market to hold a short rally, demonstrating the scale of unrest and the collective anger in the district.

District Police Superintendent Md. Abdur Rahman stated that an investigation into the late-night incident is underway. Security measures across Bandarban have been reinforced in anticipation of further demonstrations or unrest. The authorities have appealed for calm and urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

The violent events have highlighted the precarious situation in Bandarban, where political tensions and public dissatisfaction can quickly escalate into acts of arson and civil disturbance. Local leaders have called for dialogue and peaceful resolution, warning against further destruction and loss of life.