Aug 21 grenade attack first of its kind in subcontinent: Prosecution

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DHAKA, Dec 20, 2017 (BSS) – Prosecution in their closing arguments in August 21, 2004, grenade attack case today said war-grade weapons were threw at a democratic rally which was the first of its kind attack in the subcontinent.

“They used Arges grenade in this regard. Their main target of the attack was to eliminate the top leadership of Awami League including its president Sheikh Hasina. The total conspiracy was hatched at Hawa Bhaban and official residences of Lutfuzzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu,” chief prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman told the court in his closing arguments for the 22nd day.

Yesterday the prosecution placed arguments on the depositions of prosecution witnesses Advocate Sahara Khatun, Suranjit Sengupta, Kazi Zafarullah and Nazmul Hasan Papan, son of Awami League leader Ivy Rahman who was killed in the barbaric attack.

Former Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Sahara Khatun in her deposition implicated the then deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, BNP lawmaker Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and Haris Chowdhury, former political adviser of BNP chairperson, among others.

“The then BNP-Jamaat government made fun when Awami League pleaded to arrange proper security for its president Sheikh Hasina. They didn’t arrange security for the rally, instead charged baton on the crowd. It became evident that their aim was to ensure safe escape of the attackers,” the prosecution said, quoting Advocate Khatun.

Judge Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka 1st speedy trial tribunal adjourned the hearing till today.

The prosecution in their earlier arguments had said a total of five local and foreign militant outfits were involved in the barbaric attack, killing 24 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami League.

“Harkat-ul Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Kashmir-based separatist organization Hizb-ul Mujahideen, Tehrik Jihad-e Islam, Lashkar-e Tyaba and Myanmar-based Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) were involved in the monstrous attack,” the chief prosecutor said.

“Apart from these groups, Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and then BNP- Jamaat alliance government orchestrated the attack. The then government used Ministry of Home Affairs, DGFI, NSI and Bangladesh Police in executing the conspiracy,” he added. A total of 24 AL leaders and workers including the then Mohila Awami League President and wife of late President Zillur Rahman, Ivy Rahman, were killed and 500 others were injured.

Earlier, the senior jurist in his arguments had said a total of 12 accused have given confessional statement under section 164. Of those accused, HuJI leader Mufti Abdul Hannan had given two confessional statements.

A total of 225 prosecution witnesses testified in the case, while 20 witnesses were produced by the defence.