Verdict to play role in ending conspiracy, killing politics

The attack on an anti-terrorism rally of Awami League on August 21, 2004 is a dark feature of the politics in Bangladesh. After 14 years of the incident, Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal gave death sentence to 19 people including former State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar and Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pinto on charges of killing through criminal conspiracy. In the murder case, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and 18 others were sentenced to life in prison while 11 other were sentenced to different terms.

During the BNP-Jamaat alliance government, the whole nation was shocked due to brutal grenade attack on the Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue. There is no doubt that the attack was carried out to kill high-level leaders of Awami League including its President and then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.  In the attack, 24 people, including Awami League leader and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, died. Several hundred activists were injured. Although Hasina managed to escape the attack unhurt, she was not unaffected. The blasts hurt her ears causing permanent damage that resulted in loss of hearing.

The attack on the day was horrific, demonic and barbaric.  People of the country were astonished how people can be so cruel. Many people suffered splinter wounds in the attack and are still living with grenade splinters. Many of them were disabled for life. Relatives of the dead and injured people were waiting for the trial so long.  In fact, not only they but also the whole nation were waiting for the trial of persons who were responsible. After 14 years of the attack, the verdict was pronounced finally.

During the rule of the previous four-party alliance government, there was an effort to divert the case into different ways and to hide information. A man named Judge Mia was arrested and he was forced to give false statements in a bid to  hide the real culprits of the incident. But, the conspiracy was foiled and the nation has gotten rid of another long time curse with the verdict.

It was necessary to unearth the real truth behind the horrific grenade attack. Even though late, names of masterminds and attackers have come out through the trial process. Like the murder case of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the trial of the grenade attack case has been done fairly by the court. For this, we should appreciate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government.

In the observation of this verdict the judge said that in the politics there may be conflict between the ruling party and the opposition. But it is not desirable to make the opposition leadershipless. The judge further said, “There must be an effort to establish a democratic system applying the liberal policies towards the opposition by the ruling party. Taking  political benefits by the killing of leaders is not accepted in the democratic thought.

Indeed, tolerance is essential in politics. In this regard, we strongly suggest that all political parties take note of the comment of the learned judge, that, “In a democratic state, whichever party comes to power, it has to try its best to establish democracy by applying a liberal policy towards the opposition party.” It is our expectation that the August 21 grenade attack case verdict will play a role in the end of killing and conspiracy politics.



risingbd / Dhaka /Oct 13, 2018 / Ali Nowsher /Mukul