Panchagarh, Dec 13 (V7N) — A senior leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) has alleged that the recent shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi—spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and an independent parliamentary candidate—was intended to intimidate those who speak out against what he described as “Indian hegemonic influence” in Bangladesh. His comments came during a protest rally held on Friday night at Panchagarh’s Chourangi intersection, organized by Chhatra Janata and several allied groups.

NCP’s chief organizer for the northern region, Sarjis Alam, told demonstrators that Hadi had been an outspoken critic of external interference both before and after the July civic uprising. He claimed that in recent months, individuals had infiltrated Bangladesh through border points under various identities with the intention of destabilizing the country. According to him, these forces are aware that those who united during the July movement could mobilize again if the nation faces another crisis.

Alam said the current political moment is not only an election battle but also a struggle to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and democratic direction. He urged the interim government to launch nationwide operations to arrest what he described as “killers, extremists, and conspirators” who threaten political stability.

He criticized what he called internal political compromises that have allowed individuals from the former ruling party to evade accountability. Alleging that some perpetrators received protection or were allowed to flee, he argued that such practices jeopardize both justice and the credibility of the upcoming election.

The NCP leader described the shooting of Hadi as an attack not merely on an individual but on the broader movement that opposed authoritarianism during the July uprising. He warned that without unity, the democratic progress made since then could be undermined.

Leaders from various political and student groups—including district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Iqbal Hossain and members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement—attended the rally. Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack and pledged to intensify their movement if authorities fail to act swiftly.

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