Bangladesh News Update: Political activity is escalating in Bangladesh. On one hand, preparations are underway for the February elections, while on the other, the interim government is under pressure to improve the internal situation. They are also under pressure to apprehend Osman Hadi's killers, but this matter now appears to be entangled in political complications.

Bangladesh News: Following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh, her funeral has been held. India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar represented the government at the funeral. His arrival was considered significant because India-Bangladesh relations are currently strained. While the two countries are at odds over granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina, the murder of Inquilab Manch leader Usmad Hadi further worsened the situation. Bangladesh police claimed his killer had fled to India, but the accused himself released a video exposing the truth.

Osman Hadi was a leader with anti-India ideology, and Bangladesh wants to drag India into his murder case. However, Faisal Karim Masood, the main accused in the murder case, released a second video within 24 hours, declaring his innocence. He claimed that he is currently in Dubai and had not entered India. In the video, Faisal Karim Masood refuted the police claim that he fled to India via the Haluaghat border after the murder.

'I gave Hadi the money, the deal was done'

Karim's video was shared on the social media platform X by Bangladeshi journalist Salahuddin Shoaib Chowdhury. In the video, Masood said, "I am not involved in this murder in any way. This is a completely false allegation. I and my family are being framed. I have gone to Dubai to escape witch-hunting." He then explained that his financial dealings with Osman Hadi were limited to business and political lobbying. Describing himself as a software engineer and businessman, he said that his IT business suffered losses following the July 2024 student protests, which led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024. Masood claims that he approached Osman Hadi during the interim government to secure a government IT contract. He paid Hadi five lakh taka (500,000 taka), and Hadi assured him that he would get the job.

Usman Hadi used to lobby for Yunus

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He also claimed that the two later discussed gathering volunteers for programs related to the interim government, but that there was never any dispute between them. Karim's second video comes at a time when, in his earlier statement, Masood had alleged that Osman Hadi was murdered by individuals associated with Jamaat-Shibir, and that the Jamaat-e-Islami party was behind it. The Jamaat-e-Islami party is considered a party in Bangladesh that supports Pakistani ideology. It was accused of supporting Pakistan during Bangladesh's 1971 independence struggle and was even banned by Sheikh Hasina.

Who was Osman Hadi?

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent figure in the July 2024 student protests. He was a senior leader and spokesperson for the student organization Inquilab Manch. He was preparing to contest the February 12 general elections from the Bijaynagar area of ​​Dhaka. Hadi was shot by masked assailants while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He was flown to Singapore for treatment, where he died on December 18. His killing sparked violent protests across Bangladesh. Several incidents of arson were reported, including an attack on the Indian High Commission building and the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

Tariq Rahman thanked the government

Following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, her son and acting BNP President Tarique Rahman issued an emotional statement expressing gratitude to all institutions and individuals who supported the funeral. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the dignity and discipline displayed by the nation during the difficult moments of his mother's final farewell. Tarique Rahman commended the officers and soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force for their long hours of duty, maintaining peace and order, and for their sensitivity in the face of mourning. He also praised the vigilant role of intelligence agencies such as the DGFI, NSI, and Special Branch. He also cited the coordination of the National Security Advisor's Office, various ministries, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that the participation of foreign dignitaries was possible through their efforts. Tarique Rahman also thanked journalists from India and abroad who covered the event under difficult circumstances. Finally, he thanked Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and his cabinet, saying that their support enabled the nation to bid a respectful farewell to his mother.

PC:HindiNews18