14th anniv of Aug 21 grenade attack

MNA Feature Desk: The 14th anniversary of the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally is being observed today in a sombre mood, reported news agency.

Awami League and its associate bodies are observing the day across the country through various programmes including rallies, discussions and doa and milad mahfil.

On this day in 2004, the grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally arranged by Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city during the rule of BNP- Jamaat alliance government.

The main target of the heinous attack was current prime minister and the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.

At least 24 leaders and activists, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late president Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack.

However, Sheikh Hasina escaped the attack unhurt but her hearing was affected badly.

At least 13 grenades were thrown from the rooftops of a nearby building soon after Sheikh Hasina had finished her speech at the rally.