Inadequate security in place

Inadequate security measures were provided by the then government for opposition leader Sheikh Hasina at an Awami League (AL) rally on Bangabandhu Avenue which faced a grenade attack on August 21, 2004, said an AL leader yesterday.

The leader, former home minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, told Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka that 12 grenades exploded when Hasina was about to conclude her speech against terrorist activities of the then government.

Three live grenades, recovered from the scene and similar to those in the 10-truck arms haul, were destroyed without any test, said the victim and prosecution witness in the two cases, one filed over the killing and another under the explosive substances act.

Judge Shahed Nuruddin recorded the statement for over two hours before fixing January 18 for the next hearing.

The attack left 24 leaders and workers, including Ivy Rahman, dead and 300 others injured. AL President Hasina narrowly escaped death.

Nineteen accused, including Tarique, are absconding while BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar and 23 others are now in jail and another eight on bail.

Earlier, 205 prosecution witnesses, out of 491, including the complainant, gave their statements before the makeshift court near Dhaka Central Jail.