August 21 grenade attack

‘Lapses in rally security planned’

Prosecution in their closing arguments in August 21, 2004, grenade attack case, yesterday said security lapses at the anti- terror rally called by Awami League was completely pre-planned, reports BSS. “The then administration was completely aware of the fact that then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to address the rally on that day. But they did not arrange proper security out of mala-fide intentions,” chief prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman told the court yesterday. The senior jurist argued for the 21st day today. He was aided by advocates Akram Uddin Shymal and Farhana Reza at the court.

Judge Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka 1st speedy trial tribunal adjourned the hearing till today at the end of yesterday’s hearing. “The then administration produced different fake and fabricated documents to cover the real culprits behind the attack. Their main aim was to eliminate the top leadership of Awami League including party president Sheikh Hasina.

They used war-grade weapon like Arges grenade in this regard. The total conspiracy was hatched at Hawa Bhaban and officials residences of Lutfuzzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu,” Rahman added. The prosecution today placed arguments on the testimonies given by prosecution witnesses (PWs) number 121 to 161.

The prosecution in their earlier arguments had said a total of five local and foreign militant outfits were involved in the barbaric attack, killing 24 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami League. “Harkat-ul Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Kashmir-based separatist organisation Hizb-ul Mujahideen, Tehrik Jihad-e Islam, Lashkar-e Tyaba and Myanmar-based Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) were involved in the monstrous attack," the chief prosecutor said.

“Apart from these groups, Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and then BNP- Jamaat alliance government orchestrated the attack”.

August 21 grenade attack

Lapses in rally security planned

Prosecution in their closing arguments in August 21, 2004, grenade attack case, yesterday said security lapses at the anti- terror rally called by Awami League was completely pre-planned, reports BSS. The then administration was completely aware of the fact that then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to address the rally on that day. But they did not arrange proper security out of mala-fide intentions, chief prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman told the court yesterday. The senior jurist argued for the 21st day today. He was aided by advocates Akram Uddin Shymal and Farhana Reza at the court. Judge Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka 1st speedy trial tribunal adjourned the hearing till today at the end of yesterdays hearing. The then administration produced different fake and fabricated documents to cover the real culprits behind the attack. Their main aim was to eliminate the top leadership of Awami League including party president Sheikh Hasina. They used war-grade weapon like Arges grenade in this regard. The total conspiracy was hatched at Hawa Bhaban and officials residences of Lutfuzzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu, Rahman added. The prosecution today placed arguments on the testimonies given by prosecution witnesses (PWs) number 121 to 161. The prosecution in their earlier arguments had said a total of five local and foreign militant outfits were involved in the barbaric attack, killing 24 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami League. Harkat-ul Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Kashmir-based separatist organisation Hizb-ul Mujahideen, Tehrik Jihad-e Islam, Lashkar-e Tyaba and Myanmar-based Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) were involved in the monstrous attack, the chief prosecutor said. Apart from these groups, Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and then BNP- Jamaat alliance government orchestrated the attack.