Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, Aug-21,

The country is observing the 17th anniversary of the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the city with various programmes.

On this day in 2004, a grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally organised by the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue.

Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, was apparently the target. The BNP-Jamaat alliance government was in office at that time.

At least 24 people, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Hasina escaped with her life but suffered hearing impairment.

Fourteen years later, a Dhaka court sentenced 19 people, including the then BNP government’s state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death.

Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party's current acting chairman, and 18 others were also sentenced to life in prison.

The Awami League and affiliated outfits are observing the day as the 'Grenade Attack Day' with elaborate programmes, including discussions.

On this occasion, politicians of the Awami League and its affiliated outfits placed wreaths at a makeshift altar in front of the party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the morning.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President of the nation Abdul Hamid will issue separate messages commemorating the martyrs of the day.

Besides, an arts summit titled ‘AUGUST REPEATED ATTEMPTS’ will take place on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from August 21-23. The summit will be inaugurated on Saturday evening.

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