State patronised Aug 21 grenade attack: Qamrul

August 28, 2018 00:00:00

Awami League publicity and publication secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud addressing a meeting organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote at the National Press Club in the city, marking the 14th death anniversary of Ivy Rahman, the then President of Awami Mohila League. Food Minister Qamrul Islam was also present on the occasion — Focus Bangla

Food Minister Qamrul Islam alleged on Monday the August 21 grenade attack was unleashed on Sheikh Hasina in 2004 under the state patronage, report agencies.

He also accused Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for patronising the grenade attack.

The minister came up with the allegations while speaking at a meeting organised by Bangabandhu Sanskritik Jote at the National Press Club in the city, marking the 14th death anniversary of Ivy Rahman, then President of Awami Mohila League and late President Zillur Rahman's wife.

The minister accused BNP-Jamaat of hatching conspiracies in every return of the month of August.

Noting that Ivy was a popular women's leader, the minister said the August 21 attack was launched with the ISI patronage and 24 people including Ivy were killed,

He described how the then government made a mockery of justice by derailing the investigation into the attack and expressed the hope that verdict of the August 21 grenade attack case will be delivered in September.

Warning BNP and its allies not to repeat their mayhem they carried out in the past, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said you are very good at hatching conspiracy.

"But we will not tolerate anymore plotting and arson terror, which can take the country towards destruction. People themselves will resist such crimes. It is a challenge for the pro-independence force," he said.

Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said the attack on August 21, 2004, was carried out to eliminate Awami League and he urged BNP to shun the path of conspiracy and take part in election.

The meeting was also attended by a fation of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) president Molla Jalal, one faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) president Abu Zafar Surja and general secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhury, among others.

At least 24 leaders and activists, including AL's women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack on August 21 in 2004 in Dhaka.