August 21 grenade attack 2004: Wounds unhealed not only physical

Last year, Md Selim and Mahbuba Parvin gave interviews to different media outlets to express their anguish and dismay over the delay in implementing the verdict over the August 21, 2004 grenade attack.

Selim, an Awami League activist who carried several hundred splinters in his body, died a few months back, Mahbuba said, while she is not doing well herself. 

"Carrying over 1,800 splinters in different parts of my body, including my head and kidneys, my physical condition is deteriorating due to multiple complications caused by the attack," she told The Daily Star on Monday.

"I am 52. My memory is failing and I am losing my eyesight day by day. Recently, a new problem has arisen -- my ears bleed," went on Mahbuba, women affairs secretary of Awami Swechchhasebak League of Dhaka district (south).

"With all these complications, I am not sure if I will get to see the culprits punished before I die." 

During the phone conversation, her voice cracked frequently. In between, she spoke of her tribulations: she feels numb in her left leg and left hand. Just days ago, she slipped and fell from the stairs as her left leg betrayed her and took a misstep.

Her husband, who was a big support for her in this condition, died a few years ago. "For me, living is now hell due to the pain all over the body."

She added: "Despite all these sufferings, it would bring us some solace if we could see implementation of the verdict in our lifetime."

When she was taken to the hospital after the grisly attack 17 years ago, everybody thought she was dead. They even kept her among the dead bodies, she recalled.

She first moved her limbs after three days in a coma, and regained full consciousness after 25 days.

Rashida Akhtar Ruma, another victim bearing over 1,000 splinters in the body, was 24 when she suffered the injuries. Now 41, her pain is unbearable somedays, and it is getting worse with time.

"All that we want is to see the perpetrators and mastermind of the attack, Tarique Rahman, punished in my lifetime," she said.

A Dhaka court on October 10, 2018, sentenced 19 people, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar to death. Nineteen others, BNP acting chairman Tarique included, were given life imprisonment.

Execution of the capital punishment remains pending as the High Court has not yet started hearing on the death references and appeals by the 19 death-row convicts.

The HC accepted the appeals more than two and a half years ago.

Nasima Ferdushe, now in her 60s, sustained injuries so bad that doctors cannot do an MRI on her because of the 1,500 splinters she still carries, including in her head, lungs, and chest.

A former MP, Nasima said the pain was a constant reminder of the attack. She was only able to walk after five years of treatment and had been bedridden for nine months.

"Many of the grenade attack victims have already died. Many others are waiting for the end like me with untold sufferings," she said, adding that to be able to see the final justice done would take away at least some of the pain.

The attack left 24 people dead and over 300 injured.

Prime Minister and AL chief Sheikh Hasina, then opposition leader, narrowly escaped death with injuries to her right ear. Ivy Rahman, wife of late president Zillur Rahman, was among those killed.

Nazimuddin, 60, carrying around 100 splinters, said pain in different parts of his body was increasing with each passing day.

A vice-president of Dhaka City North Awami League, he said the execution of the verdict, including the death sentence for 19, would bring them some mental peace although it would not ease their physical pain.

Several other survivors shared his sentiment and called for quick completion of the High Court proceedings.