Aug 17 bombing threat to democracy, sovereignty

With PTA Cnvenor Prof Muhammad Nurullah in the chair, speakers at the meeting expressed deep concern over the incident, saying it is a threat to democracy and the country's sovereignty.

RU Bangabandhu Parishad Senior Vice- president and former Social Science faculty Dean Prof KHM Zihadul Karim said this is part of a blueprint by anti-liberation elements against pro-liberation forces.

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He said the BNP government is responsible for the attacks made by 'anti-liberation forces' because it is protecting them. Bomb attacks and other crimes increased in the country since the government assumed power in 2001.

RU Senate member Prof Ananda Kumar Saha said the attack, made by religious extremists, is a threat to sovereignty of the country and demanded immediate arrests of those involved in the incident.

RU Syndicate member Prof Abdus Sobhan said the countrywide bomb blasts was a pre-planned action to create instability in the country and panic the people.

He said the government was alerted earlier about rise of religious extremists but it did not take any action against them. Their leader 'Bangla Bhai' was arrested with arms in Bagerhat but was released, he said.

The August 17 bombings prove that earlier grenade attacks and murder of progressive forces were done by 'anti-liberation forces '.

Prof Shah Azam Shantonu said that some fanatic forces want to establish a Taleban-like government in the country, which will destroy democracy and stop progress and development. They will target to destroy social progress in the country.

The meeting, conducted by Prof Hasibul Alam Prodhan, was also addressed by Prof Abdur Rahman, Prof Moloy Kumar Bhowmik, Prof Mahbubur Rahman, Prof Shah Newaz, Prof Abdul Khaleq and Prof Fayekuzzman.