Bangladesh: Police deploy water cannons, set up barricades as protesters try to seize Chief Advisers Residence - The Tribune

Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 6 (ANI): In a major escalation of civil unrest on Friday afternoon, thousands of Inquilab Morcha's protestors attempted to storm Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus. The incident occurred just six days before Bangladesh's highly anticipated national elections, scheduled for February 12. The protestors were demanding justice in the Osman Hadi case, who was shot in the Paltan area of Dhaka on December 12, 2025. He was airlifted to the Singapore General Hospital on 15 December, where he died three days later. His death triggered a series of nationwide violent incidents, targeting media houses, political and cultural sites, and diplomatic missions. Police were seen setting up barricades, using water cannons, tear gas, and sound grenades. Today's crackdown may jeopardise next week's polling process as the unrest arrives at a critical juncture for the Yunus-led administration. Meanwhile, government employees staged a protest around Jamuna, demanding the gazette notification and immediate implementation of the ninth national pay scale. Demonstrators claim that despite the Pay Commission finalising its recommendations, the interim government has delayed the gazette notification. Protesters were heard chanting, 'There is no rice in the stomach—what development is there in the mouth?' highlighting the severe cost-of-living crisis. Six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed in the Kakrail Mosque and Hotel InterContinental areas on Friday to strengthen security around Jamuna. Police and paramilitary units (BGB) launched a coordinated dispersal operation using water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas. Several dozen protesters were injured during the baton charge and the ensuing stampede.