Aug 21: Photojournalists' accounts

Both feel that justice is overdue in the grenade attacks and should be delivered as soon as possible.SM Gorky, Chief Photojournalist, JugantorI was there on the makeshift stage built on a truck during the Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21. Many other Awami League leaders made their speech, and when Sheikh Hasina finished her speech saying “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and began to get down, some of us photojournalists began asking her to turn towards us for photos. At that moment, we heard something going off under the truck. At first we did not understand what was happening. Then we found many people were dropping on the ground. They were actually injured by grenade splinters. After that the leaders there formed a human shield to save Sheikh Hasina. When she was walking towards her car surrounded by Awami League leaders and bodyguards, the perpetrators opened fire, instantly killing one of the officials, Mahbub. I was on the stage behind Sheikh Hasina. I was bloodied too. I still have some 48 splinters in my body. A police officer rescued me. The prime minister later helped me a lot personally with treatment. I am hopeful that justice and punishment for the culprits who were involved with that terrible incident will be delivered.Mir Farid, Photojournalist, Daily Kaler KanthoAt first, I did not understand what was taking place. When one or two grenades went off, I was still taking photos from the stage. I thought they were cocktails [hand bombs]. I only realised that it was a massive after seeing many people got down on the ground. A moment later, another grenade exploded near the stage. Some people, including Awami League secretary Abdul Jalil, fell on me. I managed to save my camera by raising my hand up. Many were injured by grenade splinters. My glasses were broken and two splinters got into my left eye, but it was nothing to me. I keep my broken glasses as a memory. Grenades were exploding randomly. After that, I jumped from the stage. If someone sees the photos I took at the time from beginning to end they might be able to get a good idea of what had transpired there that day. As far as I know, I took the last smiling photo of Ivy Rahman. Md Alam was the best among us, who took the best photos of the incident that were published in the papers. He was from Daily Ittefaq. He was then more than 60 years old. I saw PM’s personal photographer Habib bhai, Khokon bhai, Gorky and Mamun there. Habib bhai was in front of the Sheikh Hasina and we the rest were behind them. If the government wishes, it can identify the culprits. It is not a big deal for the government. Instead of identifying the perpetrators, the blame game is going on. It has been 12 years. Awami League has formed two successive governments. But I think they will keep the issue alive as a political prop. Every political party does that. However, I hope one day justice will be achieved.