BNP's demand for Aug 15 grenade attack trial a 'cruel joke': Quader

Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Tuesday BNP's demand for the trial of August 21 grenade attack is a 'cruel joke', report agencies.

"The patrons of August-21 killers want the trial of the killing. The BNP leaders want justice for the August 21-killing incident. How can you describe it? It's a cruel joke about the barbaric and brutal killing incident of history," he said.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, came up with the comment while speaking at a discussion organised by Awami Jubo League at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the city, marking the Mourning Month of August.

On Monday, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference said, "As in the past, we still condemn and protest the brutal incident of August 21 grenade on an Awami League rally in 2004. We want the trial and exemplary punishment of those real offenders responsible for the attack to stop the recurrence of such a ruthless incident."

Reacting to Fakhrul's comment, Quader said it is BNP's dirty politics. "They (BNP leaders) can kill on one hand and seek justice for it on the other and they can indulge in corruption and seek justice for it. Even, they can pretend to be innocent after being convicted."

He alleged AL's 'masked enemies' are now very active to spread propaganda against the government. "We've veiled enemies. It's the masked enemies, not BNP-Jamaat, are now very active. They're spreading rumours and propaganda. Their existence is there both in the civil society and the mass media."

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Tuesday the government will not interfere in the upcoming national parliamentary election.

"So, we hope all parties including BNP will join the next election," he added.

The minister made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by Dhaka University Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) unit at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus, marking the 43rd martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Tofail, however, cautioned that the government will take strict action if anyone resorts to destabilising the country in the name of hartal and blockade centring the upcoming election.

"We hope all parties will join the upcoming election. But BNP's existence will be at a stake if it does not join the next general election," said Tofail, also a leader of ruling Awami League.