Protests Over Hadi’s Death Turn Violent in Chattogram

Violent protests erupted in Chattogram on Thursday night following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inkilab Manch, as his supporters took to the streets demanding justice. The demonstrations, which initially began as peaceful protests, later escalated into vandalism and arson at the residence of a former government minister.

Soon after news of Hadi’s death broke, his supporters gathered in the city’s bustling Soloshohor No. 2 Gate area. Occupying the roadway, demonstrators chanted slogans for an extended period, disrupting traffic and drawing the attention of local residents and law enforcement authorities. The protest reflected growing public anger and frustration surrounding the circumstances of Hadi’s death.

Later that night, after 11:00 pm on Thursday (18 December), a group of youths marching under the banner of “students and the public” moved from the No. 2 Gate area towards the Chashma Hill residence of Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, a former Education Minister during the Awami League government. Upon reaching the residence, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

According to eyewitness accounts, the protesters first set fire to a motorcycle parked in front of the building. Moments later, a section of the crowd forced their way inside the premises, carrying out widespread vandalism and setting parts of the house ablaze. The attack caused significant property damage and created panic in the surrounding neighbourhood.

When contacted, the Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station confirmed the incident but stated that the police were currently engaged in managing the situation. “We are busy at the moment. Further details will be shared later,” the OC said, indicating that law enforcement was stretched amid simultaneous unrest in different parts of the district.

Meanwhile, protests linked to Sharif Osman Hadi’s death spread beyond the city. In Bibirhat area of Fatikchhari upazila, a group of youths blocked the Chattogram–Khagrachhari highway, bringing vehicular movement to a halt. Demonstrators burned tyres on the road and staged a sit-in under the same “students and public” banner, further intensifying tensions in the region.

The series of protests and violent incidents have raised serious concerns about public safety and law and order. Authorities are expected to launch investigations into both the death of Sharif Osman Hadi and the subsequent acts of arson and vandalism, as political tensions continue to mount across Chattogram.

Key Incident Overview