17th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack being observed
Bangladesh is observing the 17th anniversary of the gruesome August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka with various programmes.
On this day in 2004, a grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally organized by the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.
Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, was the target. The BNP-Jamaat alliance government was in office at that time.
At least 24 people, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Hasina survived the attack but suffered hearing impairment.
Fourteen years later, a Dhaka court sentenced 19 people, including the then BNP government's state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death.
Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party's current acting chairman, and 18 others were also sentenced to life in prison.
Awami League and affiliated bodies are observing the day as "Grenade Attack Day" with elaborate programmes, including discussions.
On this occasion, politicians of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations placed wreaths at a makeshift altar in front of the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the morning.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President of the nation Abdul Hamid will issue separate messages commemorating the martyrs of the day.
Besides, an arts summit titled "AUGUST REPEATED ATTEMPTS" will take place on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from today till Monday.
Comments