Sheikh Hasina blames interim govt for spiral of violence: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government for failing to maintain law and order, following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. “This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus,” she said. “Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it.”

Protests in Dhaka: Bangladesh has seen renewed unrest following the December 12 shooting of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. His death triggered protests across the country. In Dhaka, incidents of arson were reported at the offices of newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and at the home of a former minister from the Sheikh Hasina government. The residence of India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram was also attacked. Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a spokesperson of the student-led group Inqilab Mancha. The country is also observing a day of state mourning following the death of Hadi, who was one of the prominent leaders of the student-led protests last year, which led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, 2024.