Awami League has taken elaborate programmes to observe the 15th anniversary of the gruesome grenade attack on an Awami League (AL) anti-terrorism rally in the capital on August 21 in 2004 today, reports BSS. The programme includes paying homage to martyrs of August 21 grenade attacks, candle-light vigil and discussion, said a press release here today.
AL and its associate bodies will place wreaths at a makeshift altar in front of the party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue at 9am tomorrow in memory of martyrs of August 21 grenade attacks. A discussion will be held at Krishibid Institution of Bangladesh (KIB) at Khamarbari in city’s Farm gate area at 4pm. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to chair the discussion. Intellectuals and national leaders will address it.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader requested leaders and workers of AL, associate bodies and supporters across the country to observe the programmes of the day. The gruesome grenade attack was carried out at an anti-terrorism rally of Awami League (AL) at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on August 21 in 2004 aiming to bankrupt the party leadership during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.
By the grace of the Almighty, 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.
