Police and other sources said the blast took place when the meeting was going on at the Tantipara residence of Zebunnesa in the afternoon.

The injured were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Zebunnesa suffered injuries to both her legs and was operated upon for removing splinters, a doctor at the hospital said.

The explosion damaged some furniture and a TV set, and splinters even hit the ceiling of the first floor room of the five-storey building.

The injured include Joint Secretary of the Mohila AL unit and city mayor's wife Asma Kamran, Vicepresident of the unit and city ward commissioner Shahan Ara Begum and Organising Secretary Salma Basit. Three other injured are activists Khaitunnesa, Madhury Goon and Bibharani.

Shahan Ara, who suffered injuries to her back, said,"We started the meeting at3:50pm, and some one from outside the room threw the bomb about 40 minutes later. The bomb exploded with a big bang."

Bibharani, who has injuries to her shoulder, said, "Somebody hurled the bomb through the open door of the room when we were discussing the opposition's agitation programme."

A police official said however 'evidence does not suggest' the locally-made powerful bomb was hurled from outside the room.

It is not possible to say anything more till an investigation is carried out, he added wishing not to be named.

Kotwali police last night picked up two persons for quizzing on the blast.

They are domestic help at the former lawmaker's residence

Hamida, and ZM Ilyas, nephew of a tenant at the same building.

Meanwhile, the city and district units of the AL brought out a big

procession and held a rally protesting the blast.

Former finance minister AMA Muhit and city Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, among others, addressed the rally held at Court Point.