Death of youth leader; Protests break out in Bangladesh, media houses torched

DHAKA: Protests broke out in Dhaka after a youth leader, who led the demonstrations in Bangladesh last year, was killed. Sharif Osman Hadi (32), who was treated in a Singapore hospital after being shot by an unidentified group, died. Protesters took to the streets demanding the arrest of those behind the murder. Several buildings in the capital, including two of the country's leading media houses, were set on fire. Employees trapped inside the buildings were taken out after great efforts.

Hadi was a prominent figure in the protests against the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was killed while he was all set to contest the Parliament seat in the national elections due in February 2026. On December 12, masked assailants shot Hadi as he left a mosque in Dhaka. Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for better treatment. He died on Thursday while undergoing treatment. Protesters set fire in several places after informed his death this morning. Violence was reported in several cities across Bangladesh, including Chattogram. Firefighters and civil defense forces are working to contain the flames.

Protesters set fire to two leading newspapers in the country, accusing them of working with India, which has given refuge to Sheikh Hasina. Sima Islam, a reporter for the Daily Star, said she is trapped inside the burning building.

‘I can't breathe anymore, there is so much smoke, I am inside, you are killing me,’ she wrote on her Facebook page. Fire officials said the fire at the Daily Star building was brought under control by dawn. There were 27 employees in the building at the time of the fire. They had taken shelter at the back of the building. Hundreds of protesters also surrounded the house of the Indian deputy ambassador to Bangladesh. The police dispersed them by firing tear gas shells.