DHAKA, 21 August 2021, (TON): At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the attack on an Awami League rally in the capital’s Bangabandhu Avenue in 2004.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the victims of the August 21 grenade attack in 2004 and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

In separate messages on the eve of the 17th anniversary of the heinous grenade attack, they urged all to come forward being imbued with the spirit of Liberation War to turn the sorrows of August 21 into strength for building a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh which will be free from terrorism and militancy.

President Abdul Hamid in his message said "August 21 grenade attack in 2004 is a mournful day as the killers launched the history's barbaric grenade attacks on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue with an attempt to kill Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina."

The head of the state added “though Sheikh Hasina escaped death by the grace of almighty Allah, Awami Mahila League's former President Ivy Rahman and 23 other leaders and activists were killed and many others injured.”

Abdul Hamid said “many of the injured persons in the attack became crippled for life and now they are living in endless misery.

He added that the August 21 grenade attack was aimed at making bankrupt the Awami League and Bangladesh in leadership and stopping the democratic process and establishing autocracy and militancy."

The president expressed his optimism that the pro-democratic and patriotic people would come forward being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation to build a dignified, happy, and prosperous Bangladesh.