BNP demands proper trial of Aug 21 attack masterminds

Terming the August 21 grenade attack as heinous and terrorist arrack, the BNP has demanded proper trial of the masterminds of the grisly attack.

Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of the party, came up with the demand after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave on Friday morning.

Nazrul said: “No matter who is behind the attack, we want punishment of the criminals after a proper investigation.

“We have said it repeatedly but Awami League blamed us even after that and it is just because of political reason.”

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The BNP leader said his party believes in democratic politics and there is no place of criminal activity in the party as his party does not involve with any politics of killing.

Regarding the arrest of three pro-BNP lawyers, Khan said: “I do not know details about it. But the government has been trying to prove that BNP patron criminal activity and BNP is a party of criminals.”

Criticising the government for its ‘repressive policy’, he said: “Many BNP leaders are behind the bar for a long time. Situation should have to be changed. People’s government is required in the country.”

At least 24 people, including Awami League’s women affairs secretary Ivy Rahman, wife of late president Zillur Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.

Sheikh Hasina, Awami League chief and then opposition leader, survived the attack with serious hearing impairment.

Source: Dhaka Tribune