Chaos Erupts in Bangladesh After Death of Student Leader Hadi; Media Offices Set Ablaze

Dhaka: Violent protests have erupted across Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, plunging the nation into chaos. Demonstrators targeted media organizations, accusing them of supporting India and backing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who went into exile in India after being ousted in August 2024.

The unrest began immediately after news of Hadi’s assassination on December 12. Masked assailants shot the 32-year-old student leader and spokesperson of the Inquilab Platform in the head while he was campaigning in Dhaka. He was subsequently flown to Singapore for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries.

In Dhaka, protesters attacked offices of major newspapers, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, trapping journalists inside. Daily Star reporter Zayma Islam described the terrifying scene on Facebook in the early hours, writing, “I can’t breathe… the smoke is overwhelming. I am inside… you are killing me.”

AFP reported that fires were set in multiple buildings, including two prominent newspaper offices. Firefighting teams managed to control the blaze at the Daily Star office by 1:40 AM, but 27 employees remained trapped inside. Another reporter, Ahmed Dipto, told AFP that journalists had taken refuge at the back of the building, hearing protesters chanting outside.

Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, described Hadi’s death as an “irreparable loss to the nation” and announced a national day of mourning with special prayers and half-mast flags. Police have intensified their search for the attackers, releasing images of two suspects and offering rewards for information leading to arrests.

Despite deployment of security forces in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and other cities, tensions remained high late into the night. Experts warn that if the violence is not contained quickly, it could pose a serious threat to both Bangladesh’s democratic process and the freedom of the press.