'Take stern action against culprits'

Nineteen people were killed and over 200 others, including a number of AL central leaders, injured in the attack that sent a shock wave across the country.

The Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) at an emergency meeting yesterday demanded compensation for the families of the dead and the injured. It will bring out a mourning procession on the university campus today.

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Teachers, students, officials and staffs of Jahangirnagar University also came out on the campus to protest the heinous act.

Leaders of the South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism said various radical Islamist outfits have been carrying out bomb attacks across the country to destroy the spirit of the liberation war and progressive thinking in order to establish a Taliban-like regime.

Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud in a statement condemned the assassination attempt on Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina and demanded that the culprits be brought to book immediately.

Jatiya Press Club, South Asian Free Media Association, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Dhaka University Journalists' Association, Centre for Women Journalists, Bangladesh Women Journalists Forum and Bangladesh Christian Writers' Forum also condemned the attack.

Condemning the ghastly attack, Kamaluddin Ahmed, acting president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), demanded stern action against the persons responsible.

Condemnations also poured in from other business leaders including Mahbubur Rahman of International Chamber of Commerce, Kutubuddin Ahmed of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fazle RM Hasan of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Amir Humayun Mahmood Chowdhury of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Syed Manzur Elahi of Bangladesh Association of Banks, Aftab Ul Islam of American Chamber of Commerce, MA Awal of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, Md Fazlul Haque of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association, Col (Retd) M Anisuzzaman of Bangladesh Terry Towel Linen Manufactures' and Exporters' Association, Nasir A Chowdhury of Bangladesh Insurance Association, AK Azad of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, Mahbub Jamil of Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anisul Huq of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association and Quazi Monirul Haq of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association.

City BNP President and Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Ziaul Haque Zia also condemned the attack and demanded exemplary punishment to the attackers.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu said the fundamentalist outfits made the attacks to destroy the spirit of the liberation war and democracy.

Other political parties that condemned the attack are JSD (Rob), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Workers Party, Jatiya Party (Monju), Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Zaker Party, National Democratic Party, United People's Democratic Front, Parbatya Chattagong Janasanghati Samity, Sammriddha Bangladesh Andolon, Gonotantrik Mazdur Party, German Awami League, Bangladesh Chhinnamul Hawkers' League, Bangladesh Awami Swechhasebok League and Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Mukti Andolon.

Different student organisations also took to the streets. They are Bangladesh Chhatra League, JSD-backed BCL, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Ganatantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra front, Progressive Students' Alliance, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri and Ganatantrik Biplobi Jote.

Different social and human rights organisations also protested the terrible attack. They are Ain o Salish Kendro, Odhikar, Bangladesh Human Rights Commission, Sammilito Nari Samaj, Karmojibi Nari, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samonnoy Parishad, Samajik Protirodh Committee, Human Rights Review Society, Court Reporters' Association, Dhaka Ainjibi Samity, Sammilito Ainjibi Samannaya Parishad and Doctors for Health.

Other organisations that condemned the incident are Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh, Coalition for the Urban Poor, Bangladesh Christian Association, War Crimes Fact Finding Committee, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Janata League, Muktijoddha Samannay Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Garments Workers and employees' League, Bangladesh Garments Sramik Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Trade Union Federation, Jatiya Mukti Council, Sammilito Islami Sangram Parishad, Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir, Sonar Bangla Juba Parishad, Bangabandhu Lalitkala Academy, Pubali Bank Employees' Union, Bangladesh Truck Owners' Association, Sylhet Division Development Action Council, Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad, Mahila Muktijoddha Sangsad, Suta and Basra Sramik Federation, Bangabandhu Shishu Academy, Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors' Association and Zia Parishad.