August 21 Grenade Attack
Ex-DGFI chief says he tried to inform Khaleda instantly
Former DGFI director general Maj Gen (retd) Sadik Hasan Rumi yesterday told a Dhaka court that after learning about the August 21 grenade attack on Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, he tried to inform the then prime minister Khaleda Zia.
At the time Khaleda was at a public rally in Noakhali and so Rumi could not reach her.
He then informed Khaleda's political secretary Harris Chowdhury over his mobile phone and requested him to inform Khaleda about the attack as he was with the prime minister.
Rumi said this while being cross-examined by the counsel of fugitive Harris Chowdhury, who is accused in two cases, filed regarding the August 21, 2004 grenade attack.
Replying to another query, Rumi said BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu and former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar were involved in the grenade attack.
Counsels for eight others including fugitives Mohammad Hanif and BNP lawmaker Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad completed their cross-examination of the witness.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 then fixed tomorrow for the next hearing of the cases.
The attack left 24 AL leaders and workers dead and maimed around 300 others on the capital's Bangabandhu Avenue. Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, narrowly escaped death but suffered ear injuries.
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