(BSS) - The Gayebana Janaza (funeral in absentia) of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, was held in front of the July Memorial Square in Rangpur city this evening.

The funeral organized by the students and public initiative, was attended by leaders of BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizens Party (NCP) and other parties, and revolutionary students and common people, academics, professionals and sociocultural activists.

After the Gayebana Janaza, a special prayer was offered for the repose of the soul of unprecedented revolutionary leader and patriot Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

Later, a protest procession started from the July Memorial Square and went around Police Lines intersection, Kachari Bazar and ended at Shaheed Osman Hadi (DC intersection) Square in the city.

The entire protest procession chanted `Ami Ke Tumi Ke, Hadi Hadi`, `Amra Aachi Thaakbo, Juge Juge Lorbo`, `Golami na Azadi? Azadi Azadi`, `Awami League er Astana, Bhenge Dao Guriye Dao` became a buzz with slogans on the streets.

Thousands of revolutionary students and people of Rangpur, including leaders of various political parties, participated in the funeral and protest procession.

At a short rally after the protest, the speakers said that Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi was an uncompromising voice against oppression and torture.

He was an inflexible fighter for the issue of protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh, not for any political advantage. His fight will be an inspiration for generations to come.

They also said that after the July Uprising, the strong voice of Osman Hadi against Indian hegemony has brought the people of the country to a new stage.

Those who deliberately shot Hadi, this revolutionary of July Uprising Hadi, shot not only Hadi in the head, but also the spirit of July. If his contribution is forgotten, the nation will face immense losses.

Therefore, from this protest rally, we want to say, not only respect, but we must take an oath that the new generation will move forward with the ideals of Osman Hadi.

The speakers demanded the immediate arrest and visible prosecution of the killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.