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Unrest has broken out in Bangladesh following the demise of a key figure from the youth movement that toppled ex- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The activist, Sharif Osman Hadi was shot by masked attackers while exiting a place of worship in the capital last week and succumbed to his injuries on Thursday while undergoing care in Singapore.

The incident took place just a day after the country's interim government set a date for the inaugural polls following the mass protests, which Hadi had been preparing to participate in as an non-aligned contender.

Protests Turn Violent

When the announcement was made on Thursday, many supporters of his followers gathered in a central area in the main city to protest.

Later on, demonstrators damaged the headquarters of prominent Bangladeshi publications The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, with one building set on fire.

"Many individuals have gathered here and carried out the attack," a law enforcement official commented.

Troops were deployed to the scene, while firefighters evacuated journalists caught inside the burning structure.

Political Reactions

Hadi, 32, was a senior leader of the youth activist platform Inqilab Mancha and an outspoken critic of India, where Hasina continues her voluntary exile.

Political groups across the nation have mourned his death and called on the transitional authority to ensure those responsible face trial.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government, described Hadi's death "a tragedy for the nation".

"The country's march toward a democratic system must not be derailed through coercion and violence," he stated in a broadcast statement on that day.

The interim government designated a national day of grief on the upcoming weekend.

Attack Called Premeditated

Soon after Hadi was attacked, the interim leader asserted it was a calculated act and "the aim of the conspirators is to disrupt the upcoming vote".

"Acts of intimidation intended to derail the vote must be condemned," he said. "This event is a worrying development for the nation's politics."

Authorities are investigating and some suspects have been arrested in connection to the incident.

Recent Political History

Hasina went into exile in the neighboring country on a date last summer, following months of student-led protests, bringing an end to a long period of increasingly authoritarian rule.

Later last year, she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity after being found guilty of sanctioning violence against demonstrators, 1,400 of whom lost their lives during the protests.