area yesterday.
Six of the critically injured were admitted to Shahid Zia Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
Jaipurhat district chapters of the 14-party alliance, led by the ruling Awami League, organised a rally protesting the political violence allegedly unleashed by the 20-party alliance. Leaders, activists and general people gathered at the central mosque area where the rally kicked off around 4:30pm.
After the speeches of local leaders, Awami League’s Central Organising Secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Shopon began to address the rally. During his speech, two powerful cocktails exploded right in front of the stage at 5:20pm.
The explosion left 19 people, including district Mahila Awami League President Rebecca Sultana, former Sadar upazila vice-chairman Asma Begum, Awami League activists Bablu Hossain and Habil Uddin, injured.
Also wounded were Mosaddek Ali, Hamidul Islam, Tafiz Uddin, Sagor Hossain, Mithun, Nazma Begum, Salma Begum, Mojnu, Mojibur Rahman, Mottaleb Hossain, Abdus Samad, Matin Singh, freedom fighter Mojibur Rahman and Farid Hossain.
Among them, the situation of Mojnu, Mojibur, Tafiz Uddin, Bablu Hossain, Farid Hossain and Mosaddek were claimed to be serious.
Former Vice-President of District Awami League Golam Hakkani said the cocktails blasted with a heavy noise and smoke during the peaceful rally.
Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Shopon said: “BNP-Jamaat attacked the rally as part of its countrywide violence.” He urged the administration to arrest the perpetrators soon.
District BNP President and former MP Mozaher Ali Pradhan denied their involvement in the attack. “Our men returned home after finishing the day’s programme long before the rally began. There is no way we can be blamed.”
Superintendent of Police Abu Kalam Siddique visited the spot and later went to the hospital to see the injured.
Though he assured to arrest the perpetrators, no case was filed in this regard till the filing of this report.
