The Interim Government on Friday issued a statement regarding protests demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, which began Thursday under the banner of Inquilab Mancha in front of the State Guest House Jamuna.
According to the government, although protests were prohibited in and around Jamuna, law enforcement initially refrained from using force. On Friday, when demonstrators attempted to break barricades, advance toward Jamuna, and at one point climbed onto a water cannon, authorities deployed sound grenades and water cannons to restore order. The government confirmed that no bullets were fired during the incident.
The statement said that to maintain public order and ensure the safety of the chief adviser, all forms of meetings, gatherings, processions, mass assemblies, and protests remain prohibited in the area. Police acted in full compliance with legal procedures, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed that no lethal weapons were used.
Doctors on duty at the Emergency Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital told reporters that 23 people, including Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Mancha, received treatment for injuries sustained during the protests. Officials confirmed that none of the injuries involved gunshots.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to securing justice in the Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi case. Legal procedures for conducting a United Nations-led investigation are under thorough review, and a formal letter will be sent to the relevant UN agency on February 8, 2026. The government described media reports alleging excessive force against protesters as inaccurate.
In a separate section of the statement, the Interim Government called on citizens to exercise patience, restraint, and responsibility ahead of the upcoming national election. With nearly 180 million voters preparing for the ballot, international attention remains focused on Bangladesh, and numerous foreign journalists and observers have already arrived in the country.
Authorities emphasized the need for cooperation to ensure a peaceful, participatory, and celebratory election. The government said the upcoming vote represents a historic milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic progress, achieved through long struggle, sacrifice, and bloodshed.
The statement concluded that to secure the nation’s stability, progress, and future development, the election must be conducted fairly, freely, transparently, and impartially. Any deviation from these principles is unacceptable. The government stressed that only through responsible and collective citizen cooperation can a credible, dignified, and democratic election be successfully held.