BNP-Jamaat symbol of terrorism: PM

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placing wreaths at the temporary altar at Bangabandhu Avenue. — BSS Photo

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina branded on Wednesday the BNP-Jamaat alliance as "the symbol of killing, terrorism and militancy" and requested the countrymen to ponder over what kind of welfare would they do, reports UNB. She was addressing a rally at the Bangabandhu Avenue in the city marking the 9th anniversary of dastardly grenade attack on Awami League (AL) meeting on August 21, 2004. On this day nine years back, 24 leaders and workers, including former Mohila AL president Ivy Rahman, were killed and over 200 others maimed in the grenade attack when then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina was addressing the rally. Sheikh Hasina called upon the countrymen to think how far the country is safe in the hands of those, who being in power, could launch dreadful grenade attacks on a peaceful rally. "They'll establish the country as the den of militants and terrorists, they will destroy Bangladesh," she said. Hasina said these days Hefajat-e-Islam is involved with BNP and Jamaat. "People of the country will have to remain alert about them so that they cannot patronise militancy and stage the August 21-like grenade attack again." She alleged that conducting such a big grenade attack could not be possible without patronage of the government and the members of on-duty law enforcement agencies had helped the attackers flee the scene. On-duty police force hurled teargas shells when the AL leaders and workers were trying to rescue the wounded people, she said. The PM said 13 grenades, which were used in the attack, are usually used in the war fields. She said that after taking office, the present government contained militancy and terrorism with an iron hand. "At least no attack like August 21 (of 2004) took place on the opposition party in the last four and a half years as we never believe in the politics of vendetta. I don't want such kind of incident taking place in the country anymore." Hasina mentioned that the AL and the grand alliance it leads always worked for the overall development of the country. "We engaged all our strength to this end and people are now getting its benefit," she said. She alleged that the BNP-Jamaat alliance government destroyed all evidence of the grenade attack; even they had destroyed the un-detonated grenades. They made various attempts to save the killers of the August 21, 2004 grenade attack like that of the killers of August 15, 1975, she said. The PM said: "During the previous BNP-led four-party alliance government, grenade attacks were launched across the country and they turned the country into a haven of terrorists and militants." Terming the August 21 grenade attack as pre-planned, she said the investigation into the attack has been completed and killers will certainly be brought to book in the soil of Bangladesh. Conveying deep sympathy to the family members of the deceased and wounded in the attack, the PM said the AL is providing assistance to the families of the victims of the August 21 grenade attack as well as to the financially insolvent leaders and workers of the party from Bangabandhu Memorial Trust. All the victims will be provided with financial assistance in phases, she added. Earlier, Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the August 21 victims by placing wreaths at a temporary altar on the spot. She also placed wreaths there along with the party leaders. A special munajat was also offered seeking divine blessings for the departed souls of those killed in the August 21 grenade attack and early recovery of the wounded. Later, the PM distributed cheques of financial assistance to the family members of 50 victims of the August 21 grenade attack.