People continued to gather at the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday evening to pay their respects, hours after his burial near Dhaka University.
Even after nightfall, the graveyard beside the Central Jama Mosque of Dhaka University and the entrance area near the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam remained crowded. Many visitors were seen offering prayers from outside the cemetery, while others waited quietly for a glimpse of the grave. Some took photographs on their mobile phones.
Around 7:30 pm on Saturday (December 20), it was observed that the security cordon in front of the graveyard had been lifted. Barricades set up near Shahbagh Police Station and the TSC were also removed. However, police personnel continued to remain deployed at different points in the area.
Law enforcement officers were seen standing guard at both the mosque gate used to enter the cemetery and the main outer gate. According to sources, police patrols will continue throughout the night for security reasons. No one is being allowed to enter the graveyard at night; visitors may only offer prayers from outside.
An official responsible for maintaining law and order, speaking on condition of anonymity, said police would remain vigilant. “Patrolling will continue overnight. Additional security measures may also be in place tomorrow, depending on the situation,” he said.
When asked about reopening the cemetery to the public, the official said no specific time had yet been fixed.
Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest at around 3:30 pm beside the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, adjacent to the Central Jama Mosque of Dhaka University. National Citizens Party (NCP) Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, leaders from various levels of DUCSU, and members of Hadi’s family were present at the burial.
Earlier in the afternoon, Hadi’s funeral prayer was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 2:30 pm. His elder brother, Abu Bakr Siddique, led the prayer, which was attended by a large crowd.
