BNP introduces militancy to destroy liberation war’s pride: Speakers

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DHAKA, Aug 25, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers at a webinar discussion have
said the August 21 grenade attack was held under the state
patronization as BNP introduced militancy in the country aimed at
destroying the pride of the great liberation war.

“It is crystal clear today that the grenade attack on August 21,
2004 was endorsed by BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia and operated by her
son Tareque Rahman,” they told the special webinar discussion arranged
marking the grenade attack day on Monday night.

Participating in the programme, Awami League advisory council member
Amir Hossain Amu said, “The horrific August 21 grenade attack was
directly sponsored by the then BNP-Jammat alliance government.”

He said the 71’s defeated forces had carried out the attack on
August 21, 2004 to kill Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina who had
been survived from the brutal murder on August 15 in 1975.

“The attack on August 21, 2004 was intertwined to the August 15,
1975 tragedy,” he added.

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said Ziaur Rahman had initiated
patronization of terrorism by enacting indemnity ordinance after the
killing of Bangabandhu and then he (Zia) turned the ordinance into law
after assuming power in 1979.

Dr Hasan, also joint general secretary of the Awami League, said
that Begum Zia’s controversial activities during 1991-1996 and backing
militancy by her son Tarique Rahman had proved that Zia’s family was
familiar with the state terrorism.

“The August 21 grenade attack was held under the state patronization
…and it is clear that Tarique Rahman led the attack with the
approval of Begum Zia”, he said.

Terming Zia’s family as the patrons of state terrorism, the
information minister said the emergence of militant leader Shayakh
Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai, series bombing in 63 districts and grenade
attack on the central leaders including Sheikh Hasina took place
during Begum Zia’s regime.

Awami League central committee member Mofazzal Hossen Chowdhury Maya
said the vested quarter had tried to kill Sheikh Hasina for 19th
times. The August 15 and August 21 incidents were intertwined, he
added.

Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organizing
secretary SM Kamal Hossen, PM’s deputy press secretary Ashraful Alam
Khokon, grenade attack case witness Major Engineer Shamsuddin Ahmad
(retd), former Chhatra League general secretary Nazrul Islam Babu,
among others, joined the discussion.

Noted political analyst Subash Singha Roy moderated it.