New Delhi: A BNP leader’s seven-year-old daughter was burnt to death Saturday, while he and his two other daughters received burn injuries as violent protesters locked his house from outside and set it afire on day three of agitation over the death of students’ leader and independent politician Sharif Osman Hadi.
According to local reports, the Lakshmipur house of BNP leader Belal Hossain was set on fire early Saturday morning.
Police said Hossain is the assistant organising secretary of the Bhabaniganj Union BNP, according to local media reports.
Hossain’s daughter, Ayesha Akter, was burnt to death while his other daughters, Salma Akter (16) and Samia Akter (14) have suffered critical burn injuries. Belal himself is receiving treatment at Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, while his daughters have been sent to Dhaka for advanced care, the reports said.
Violence erupted across Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh Thursday night after news broke that student leader and independent politician Sharif Osman Hadi had died in Singapore.
Two of the major media houses, Daily Star and Prothom Alo buildings were set on fire and Bangladesh’s founding figure, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s house, Dhanmondi 32 was attacked again.
Protest marches were also taken out against Indian missions in Rajshahi and Chittagong.
Hadi was known for his radical views against what he called “Indian hegemony.” His killers, are also alleged to have fled to India post the shooting but no substantial evidence has been provided by authorities yet.
As unrest spread, at least one communal incident was reported, with a Hindu man beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy, according to police.
Hadi, a leading figure of the radical platform Inquilab Moncho, had been shot by unidentified assailants in central Dhaka on December 12 and was later airlifted abroad for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Announcing his death, Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus declared a day of national mourning and ordered special prayers at religious places across the country.
Hadi’s funeral took place Saturday afternoon in the Dhaka University campus.
The shooting took place just a day after the Election Commission announced that Bangladesh’s next parliamentary elections would be held on 12 February 2026.
Meanwhile, BNP’s Acting chairperson Tarique Rahman is to return to Bangladesh with his daughter, on 25 December, ending an 18-year exile to campaign for the coming polls.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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They burned a 7 year old alive ? That country is doomed. Mobs have completely taken over and what I have heard they are all jamaat guys doing these things which makes sense given what’s been happening and who is getting targeted.
Bangladesh is so screwed and we still have porous borders and illegal immigrants in millions.