17th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack being observed

Bangladesh is commemorating the 17th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League gathering in Dhaka on August 21 with a variety of events.

An anti-terrorism protest held by the Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital was attacked with a gruesome grenade strike on this day in 2004.

Sheikh Hasina, the opposition leader at the time, was the target. At the time, the BNP-Jamaat coalition government was in power.

At least 24 individuals were killed, including Ivy Rahman, the wife of late President Zillur Rahman and the Awami League’s women affairs secretary. A total of 300 people were hurt. Hasina survived the attack, but she lost her hearing.

A Dhaka court sentenced 19 people to death 14 years later, including the then-BNP government’s state minister for home affairs, Lutfozzaman Babar.

Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s eldest son and the party’s current acting chairman, was also condemned to life in jail, along with 18 others.

The Awami League and its affiliates are commemorating the day as “Grenade Attack Day” with elaborate programs and talks.

Wreaths were laid at a makeshift altar in front of the Awami League’s headquarters office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the morning on this occasion by leaders from the party and its allied groups.

President of the Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as President of the Nation Abdul Hamid, will deliver separate messages honoring the day’s martyrs.

In addition, from today to Monday, an artists summit named “AUGUST REPEATED ATTEMPTS” will be held on the grounds of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

From Daily Star News

Saizul Amin