The government has announced a reward of Tk 5 million for the arrest of those accused in the attack on Inqilab Manch convener Sharif Osman Hadi in the capital. At the same time, it has been decided to immediately start the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt to “suppress fascist-terrorists”.
After an emergency meeting on law and order at the Secretariat on Saturday, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the government is viewing the attack with utmost importance and strict instructions have been given to the law enforcement agencies to quickly arrest those involved. He also said that special security measures have been taken for the frontline fighters of the July uprising.
According to the Home Affairs Advisor, this attack is being seen as an attempt to sabotage the upcoming parliamentary elections. He said that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the security of the elections and candidates; if necessary, candidates will be given weapons licenses, he added.
Sharif Osman Hadi was shot while riding a moving rickshaw in Bijoynagar on Friday afternoon. He was first shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later to Evercare Hospital in a seriously injured condition. He is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU; according to doctors, his condition is critical.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “No one involved in this attack will be spared. With the cooperation of the public, it will be possible to bring the perpetrators to justice very quickly.