DHAKA, Oct 10, 2018 (BSS) – A special court here today said it is possible to stop repetition of grisly attacks like the one made on August 21, 2004 possible through ensuring exemplary punishment of the culprits.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal said this while pronouncing the verdict in the August 21 grenade attack case today.
“It is normal to have disputes among the ruling and opposition parties in politics. But it is never expected that there will be attempt to eliminate the leadership of the opposition. This court never wants the repetition of crimes like attack on shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal, attack on former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, Ramna Batamul attack and grenade attack on August 21, 2004,” the court said in its observation.
The court said military weaponry like Arges grenades were used with the assistance of then administration in broad daylight attack on Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue.
“Those who were injured with many splinters inside their body are still suffering immense pain after so long. Their family members are also living a dreadful life. After overall scrutiny it was seen that prosecution was able to prove the allegations against the accused that they held conspiracy meetings and carried out the attack in a planned way and killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists,” it said, adding, “in this context the court thinks it is logical to punish the accused.”
Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal today sentenced to death to 19 people including former state minister for home affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and life imprisonment to another 19 including ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s fugitive son Tarique Rahman in the August 21, 2004, grenade attack case.