Bandarban witnessed a night of unrest as student-led protests over the death of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab movement, escalated into arson at the residence of former Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, just after 1 a.m., causing widespread alarm among local residents and prompting a rapid response from emergency services.
According to eyewitness accounts, the protest was sparked after news emerged that Osman Hadi had passed away while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital. The students and members of the local populace, visibly angered by the loss, gathered in the town centre and marched through major thoroughfares. As the protest reached the Rajarmath area, the demonstrators directed their outrage at the former minister’s mansion, setting fire to the property in a dramatic expression of their anger.
Chants and slogans accusing Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing of responsibility for Hadi’s death were reportedly heard throughout the march. The protestors also demanded his immediate arrest, intensifying the political tension in the district. The violence, while brief, resulted in extensive damage to the mansion, leaving much of the structure burnt and uninhabitable.
Emergency responders, including the fire service, police, and military personnel, arrived at the scene to bring the blaze under control. Senior Station Officer Iftikhar Uddin of the fire service noted that it took considerable effort to contain the fire, though the total extent of the damage has not yet been fully assessed. Eyewitnesses described the fire as intense, engulfing most of the mansion before emergency teams were able to intervene.
After the arson, the protestors continued their demonstration at the Bandarban market’s central traffic circle, holding a short assembly before dispersing. The authorities have reinforced security across the district to prevent further unrest and to maintain public order.
District Police Superintendent Md. Abdur Rahman confirmed that the incident is under investigation. Law enforcement officials are reviewing reports and testimonies to identify organisers and participants in the arson attack. Meanwhile, local leaders have called for calm, emphasising that political grievances should be expressed through legal and peaceful channels.
The incident underscores the deep-seated political tensions in Bandarban and the volatility of public demonstrations in response to controversial events. Analysts warn that without careful management, such incidents could escalate into larger-scale unrest, putting both lives and property at risk.