Aug 21, a tainted chapter in political history: BNP

BNP today said the 21st August grenade attack was the most stigmatised and tainted chapter in the country’s political history.

“The attack on a political party was a barbaric incident, “BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion at the Dhaka reporter’s unity auditorium this afternoon.

“We express our deep condolences to the bereaved souls and convey our utmost sympathy to those who were injured in the attack,” the BNP leader said.

Pointing at the government’s reported plan to go for a midterm election, Fakhrul said this is nothing but a conspiracy to weaken BNP.

“What we should do is to compel the government for holding a free, fair and inclusive election,” he said.

The National Awami Party organised the discussion observing the seventh death anniversary of their former President Shafiqul Alam.

At least 24 people, including Awami league leader Ivy Rahman, were killed and several hundred, including AL chief Sheikh Hasina, were injured in the grenade attacks on the party's rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on August 21, 2004.