Assailants on a motorcycle threw a crude bomb-like object at a meeting of leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, the BNP’s farmers’ wing, next to Mona Super Shop in Daulatpur, Khulna city, on Monday night (9 November), and fled.
Angry leaders and activists at the scene alleged that hidden supporters of the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League had thrown it to signal what they called the “dream” of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina returning in December, and to announce a banned “shutdown” programme by the outlawed organisation on the 10th.
Police came to the scene after being informed and have begun an investigation, with several teams working to arrest those involved. Immediately after the incident, leaders of Daulatpur thana BNP and its affiliated organisations marched through Daulatpur’s main roads and held a rally.
Speakers at the rally warned the attackers: “We spent 17 years on the streets in movements and struggles. There is no point trying to frighten us.” They told the banned group’s supporters not to take to the streets, saying that if they tried to create disorder or instability they would be “suppressed with a firm hand” and would have no time to flee the country, as their leader had not. They called on the administration to arrest the supporters of the organisation they named within 24 hours, warning that otherwise they would “not sit idle”.
M Murshid Kamal, president of Daulatpur thana BNP, repeated the allegation that Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League supporters had thrown the device from a motorcycle while the Krishak Dal meeting was under way, and that it had been planned. He urged the administration to arrest those responsible within 24 hours.
Those present at the protest march and rally included Sheikh Sadi, organising secretary of Khulna city BNP; M Murshid Kamal; Daulatpur thana BNP general secretary Sheikh Imam Hossain and organising secretary Matlubur Rahman Mitul; and leaders of the city Krishak Dal, along with leaders of the BNP and its affiliated bodies at various levels in Daulatpur.
Sajib Talukder, convener of Khulna city Krishak Dal, said an informal discussion with ward-level leaders and activists was being held in the tin-shed room on Monday night when the attackers threw one crude bomb at the meeting. It did not explode, so no one was hurt and nothing was damaged. Leaders and activists brought out a protest procession straight afterwards.
He said he was not there at the time and went to the scene after hearing the news. The room is not a party office, he said; ward-level leaders and activists meet there for discussions.
Mu Moradul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daulatpur police station, said police went to the scene after being told a crude bomb-like object had been thrown. They learned that unknown people had thrown an object wrapped in red tape in front of Mona Super Shop and fled. It was later defused by soaking it in water. “We have started an investigation, and several of our teams are working to arrest those involved,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report