Inqilab Moncho yesterday vowed to continue its Shahbagh blockade programme until the perpetrators of Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder are brought to justice.

Police have so far arrested 18 people in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, following allegations of “hurting religious sentiments” on the night of December 18.

Police have arrested another individual in connection with the attack, looting, and arson at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) will hold a mass rally in Dhaka on January 9 demanding the arrest of those responsible for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and to build public opinion in favour of the July Charter.

Total number of arrests in the incidents now 32

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the recent violence, vandalism and arson targeting media houses in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court yesterday sent two men to jail in connection with the vandalism, arson, and looting at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo in Dhaka.

Just 17 days ago, 18-year-old Salma Akter Smriti got married over the phone to an expatriate living in Oman. The couple had planned for a formal wedding reception in Bangladesh during Ramadan, once he returned.

Police arrested six more persons early yesterday in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila on December 18.

A man was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari’s Pangsha upazila on Wednesday night over an extortion allegation, police said.

Accomplice held with weapons

A Dhaka court yesterday placed a suspect on a five-day remand in connection with the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho and a prominent youth leader of the July uprising.

Ataur Rahman Bikrampuri, known for his highly provocative sermons, online speeches, and Facebook posts, was sent to Kashimpur Central Jail yesterday.

A series of arson attacks on four houses belonging to minority communities in three areas of Raozan in Chattogram in five days has spread fear among residents of the upazila.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday set January 20 for delivering its judgment in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of six people at Chankharpul during the July uprising.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday pressed charges against 11 former police officers over the killing of Imam Hasan Bhuiyan Tayim, a 12th grader, in Dhaka’s Jatrabari on July 20 last year.

Journalist leaders yesterday termed the recent attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo direct assaults on free and independent journalism, demanding swift justice and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Family members of three of the five people killed in a clash on December 23 between two groups over the grabbing of shoal land in Hatia upazila of Noakhali claimed that the victims had gone there to buy land.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has estimated that around Tk 250 crore was siphoned off through corruption in land acquisition and compensation in five solar power projects.

Law enforcers have so far arrested 31 people for their alleged involvement in the attacks, looting, and arson at the Karwan Bazar offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.