Awami League (AL) yesterday observed the fourth anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on its rally in the capital pledging that if voted to power in the next polls, it would bring to book the masterminds and others involved in the carnage.
The party also demanded immediate arrest of those intelligence officials who had plotted the 'Joj Miah drama' to cover up the dreadful incident and formation of a special inquiry commission for a fresh probe into it.
At least a dozen grenades were hurled on the rally apparently in an attempt to kill AL President Sheikh Hasina, former prime minister and eldest daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Hasina narrowly escaped the attack that left 24 people including party leader Ivy Rahman killed and around 500 others injured.
Many of the injured are maimed and are living a painful life with so many splinters in their bodies.
Yesterday's programme began with placing of wreaths at a temporary memorial in front of AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital at 5:10pm. Acting party president Zillur Rahman first placed wreaths.
At 5:12pm, several thousand people stood up and observed one minute's silence in memory of the party leaders and activists killed in the grenade blasts.
Family members of those killed in the blasts placed wreaths with lighted candles in their hands to pay their tributes to their loved ones. Some of the injured victims also visited the spot to recall the tragic memories. Photos of the deceased were displayed on the Bangabandhu Avenue to mark the day.
Expressing frustration, some of the family members said they are yet to get justice for the killing of their loved ones. "We want nothing but justice and exemplary punishment to the masterminds," said Mazharul Islam Mamun, son of Rafiqul Islam, a victim.
Leaders of Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Ganotantri Party, Samyabadi Dal, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, AL's front organisations and many other organisations also placed wreaths at the temporary memorial in observance of the day.
Tight security measures were taken in the area. A large contingent of uniformed and plainclothes police stood guard on high-rise buildings there. Police checked every one entering the area.
People gathered on Bangabandhu Avenue to pay homage to victims of the carnage.
Later, the AL held a discussion marking the day. Zillur said August is the month of mourning for them as Bangabandhu also was assassinated in this month. And grenade attack on an the AL rally was carried out in this month to eliminate the entire AL leadership, he said.
He alleged that the then BNP-Jamaat coalition government was involved in the attack and that is why they did not bring the culprits to book. He demanded that the caretaker government bring masterminds behind the attack to justice.
AL Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu demanded a reshuffle in the administration as, he said, officials appointed by the BNP-Jamaat coalition would not probe the incident properly.
Abdur Razzak, another presidium member, said, "If a government led by our leader Sheikh Hasina is formed following the next election, it will bring the masterminds to book."
Tofail Ahmed said, "It is sad that the present government did not carry out a neutral probe into the incident.
Suranjit Sengupta demanded a special inquiry commission to probe the grenade attack.
Two other Presidium members-- Syeda Sajeda Chowdhuryand Motia Chowdhury-- also spoke.
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