The ruling Bangladesh Awami League, its associate bodies, its left-leaning allies and other political parties on Monday (Aug 21) paid homage to the martyrs of the brutal grenade attack that killed 24 people and wounded nearly 500 others. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the grenade attack by placing floral wreaths at the altar set up in memory of the martyrs of the grenade attack in front of Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka.
After paying tribute, the Prime Minister observed a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs. Later, the premier along with other central leaders including the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader paid tribute to the martyrs on behalf of Awami League. Sheikh Hasina also exchanged greetings with party leaders and those injured in the Aug 21st grenade attack. The PM also attended a discussion meeting organized to protest the attack and commemorate the victims, local media reported.
After the discussion, alter in memory of the martyrs of Aug 21 was kept open for all when the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the venue. Then leaders from different political parties and the leaders of ruling Awami League and its different associate bodies also paid tribute.
Leaders from several political parties were crowded in front of the Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city in the morning for paying rich tribute to the martyrs of the grenade attack on Aug 21 in 2004. Tributes also were paid to the martyrs on behalf of the 14-parties.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) led by its Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh also paid tribute to the deceased of the grenade attack.
A total of 24 people including Awami League's women Affairs secretary Ivy Rahman were killed at a rally organized by the ruling party at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city on that day.
The injured persons and family members of the grenade attack victims along with different political parties including Dhaka city South and North units of Awami League, Krishak League, Sramik League, Jubo League, Chattro League, Tanti League, Mahila Awami League, Matshyajibi League, Swechasebok League, Jubo League north and south city units, Dhaka district Awami League , Bangabandhu Parishad, Dhaka district Swechasebok League, Bangabandhu Sangskrit Jote, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Mayor Mohammad Hanif Memorial Foundation, Muktijoddah Projonmo League and Bangabandhu Gobeshona Parishad, among others, also paid respect to the martyrs by placing floral wreaths.
The 19th anniversary of the attack is being observed this year through different programmes in the country.
