Security has been significantly 강화 stepped up at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladesh’s Sylhet city amid rising tensions following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, officials said on December 20. The precautionary measures were introduced to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of protests and political mobilisation sparked by his killing.
Saiful Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said the enhanced security was aimed at ensuring that “no third party can exploit the situation,” according to local media reports. Police said the measures have been in place since December 19 and cover the Assistant High Commission office in the Upashahar area, the official residence of the Assistant High Commissioner located nearby, and the visa application centre in the Shobhanighat area. Security personnel remained deployed throughout the night as part of the heightened alert.
The decision followed a series of protest announcements after Hadi’s death. Gano Odhikar Parishad declared plans to besiege the Assistant High Commission office, while Inqilab Mancha staged a sit-in outside the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar, raising slogans against what it termed “Indian dominance.” The developments prompted authorities to reinforce security around Indian diplomatic and consular facilities in the city.
Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, was a prominent figure in the student-led protests last year that culminated in the ouster of the Awami League government led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. He was also a candidate for the general elections scheduled for February 12. The 32-year-old was shot in the head by masked assailants during an election campaign event in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12 and later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
His death triggered widespread unrest across Bangladesh, with reports of attacks and vandalism in several areas. Among the incidents was stone-pelting at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram on Thursday, further escalating concerns over security at Indian establishments.
Hadi was laid to rest on Saturday beside the grave of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Mosque amid tight security arrangements. Tens of thousands attended the funeral prayers, during which slogans were raised demanding justice for his killing. Shortly after the funeral, Inqilab Mancha issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the interim government, calling for “visible progress” in the arrest of those responsible for Hadi’s death.
Authorities said the security measures in Sylhet would remain in place as the situation continues to be closely monitored.
