Bangladesh "unrest" security forces have moved onto the streets of the capital

Bangladesh’s security forces have moved onto the streets of the capital, Dhaka, and other major cities after overnight violence erupted over the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader of the 2024 uprising, raising fears of further unrest ahead of February’s national elections.

Police and paramilitary units increased patrols across Dhaka after protests turned violent late on Thursday, targeting media offices, political buildings and cultural institutions. The protests continued on Friday with reports that demonstrators had cut off access to a highway in the city of Gazipur, located north of the capital, Dhaka.

The latest turbulent chapter in the nation’s recent history followed the death of Hadi, a 32-year-old spokesperson for Inquilab Moncho, or Platform for Revolution, who had planned to contest the upcoming election. Masked attackers shot Hadi in the head a week ago in Dhaka as he launched his campaign.

He was first treated at a local hospital before being flown to Singapore for advanced care, where he died after six days on life support.

Hadi’s repatriated body arrived in Bangladesh late on Friday evening from Singapore and left the airport, a local media platform close to the protest movement quoted Inqilab Moncho as saying. The group wrote on Facebook that the vehicle carrying the body of its former spokesperson was heading to Shahbag in central Dhaka.

At the family’s request, Hadi’s body will not be taken to Dhaka University Central Mosque right away, as the group had reported earlier, but will be taken there on Saturday, the post said.

Hadi, also known for his outspoken criticism of India, was a leading figure in last year’s student-led uprising that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.

Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, said: “Student leaders have called for a major protest …The protests have been going on across the country, not just in the capital city. Student leaders say that until the killers of Hadi are found, the protests will continue.

“We know that the killer may have – at least, from speculations made by police and others – escaped to India through the border. One of the people who was driving the motorcycle that the assailant was riding was actually caught, and several others were suspected of being tied to this event – at least 20 or so. But the actual killer who shot Hadi has not been caught yet. So, there’s a lot of tension in the city,” Reports added.

Al Jazeera’s Moudud Ahmmed Sujan reported from Dhaka that a retired Bangladeshi army officer has publicly called for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, accusing New Delhi of shielding those responsible for political violence.

Speaking at a protest in Shahbag, former Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman, who claims to be a victim of enforced disappearance under Hasina’s rule, accused India of backing what he described as authoritarian governance in Bangladesh. He said people were killed after being labelled as “militants”, Sujan reported.

Rahman also demanded the return of those accused of killing Hadi, whom he said are believed to have fled to India, insisting they must face trial in Bangladesh alongside Sheikh Hasina.

He criticised the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus for failing to arrest Hadi’s alleged killers, warning that Bangladesh would not return to any form of authoritarian rule.

India, for its par,t has rejected the accusations and said on Friday it is closely monitoring Bangladesh’s “internal situation” but will not get involved in domestic affairs, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has said.

“Senior officials in both India and Bangladesh are acutely aware that Bangladesh’s internal situation remains fluid and evolving, requiring thorough and impartial analysis,” the commission’s spokesperson said in a statement.

Dhaka University campus in Shahbag Square, There’s a strong anti-India sentiment in the crowd. They say India always meddles in Bangladesh’s affairs – particularly right before the elections – and that the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been making provocative statements from India, where she is taking shelter.