NEW DELHI, Aug 21, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi
today paid homage to the victims of the heinous grenade attack at an Awami
League rally in 2004 in Bangabandhu Avenue, leaving at least 24 people
killed.
The gruesome grenade attack was carried out at an anti-terrorism rally of
Awami League on August 21 in 2004 aiming to bankrupt the party leadership
during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.
By the grace of the Almighty Allah, the then opposition leader and
incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other front ranking leaders of AL
narrowly escaped the carnage.
But, 24 people including the then Mahila AL president and wife of late
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman were killed and over 500 others injured in
the attack and many of them became crippled for life.
The New Delhi mission held a discussion meeting marking the day with
Acting High Commissioner A.T.M Rokebul Haque in the chair, said a press
release.
Minister (Political) A.F.M. Zahid-ul-Islam, Minister (Press) Farid Hossain
and Minister (Consular) Selim Md. Jahangir, among others, addressed it. First
Secretary Zakir Ahmed read out a message from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The meeting called for early execution of the 2018 verdict in the trial of
the attack in which 19 people were sentenced to death and 19 others,
including fugitive BNP leader Tarique Rahman were given life sentence.
A special prayer was held seeking divine blessings for long and healthy
life for Premier Sheikh Hasina and other survivors of the mayhem.