Breaking News:Bangladesh unrest deepens as second student leader shot dead in days after Hadi– What Just Happened

Bangladesh’s political unrest deepened after Motaleb Shikder, a prominent student leader who played a key role in the 2004 uprising, was gunned down in Khulna just days after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, linked to the 2024 movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Mahmuda Mitu, joint principal coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), confirmed the attack in a Facebook post, saying Shikder was shot in southwestern Khulna city and rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where he received emergency treatment.

“The Khulna Division head of NCP and central coordinator of the party’s workers front, Motaleb Shikder, was shot a few minutes ago,” Mitu wrote.

Shikder, who was shot on the left side of his head and lost a lot of blood, was to City Imaging Centre, according to PTI. Police have launched an “immediate manhunt” to arrest the attackers. 

This second death was reported amid widespread unrest over death of Hadi who was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections. He was shot in the head on December 12 in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.

Thousands reportedly showed up for Hadi’s funeral prayers with many chanting anti-India slogans like “Delhi or Dhaka – Dhaka, Dhaka” and “brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain”.

Many allege that Hadi’s attackers fled to India and are demanding that the government hold India accountable for alleged interference in Bangladesh.

Indian visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram was also suspended on Sunday (December 21) over security concerns.