Seventeen years ago on 21st August, the nation was about to burst against the state-sponsored militancy, in the capital. Ironically, shortly after, the anti-militancy protesters themselves became victims of the country’s most gruesome militant attack masterminded by then BNP-Jamaat government.
The anti-militancy campaigners in their hundreds and thousands thronged Bangabandhu Avenue to protest the killings of secular politicians, cultural activists and Liberation War campaigners.
It appeared like the Doom’s Day as grenades and bullets were showered from all directions towards the rally addressed by Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, with an aim to kill her apparently for her stance against religious extremism, which had mushroomed under the patronisation of the then BNP-Jamaat government.
Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president, called for the rally to make the nation stand united and fight the menace of the spiralling of the militancy and terrorism.
Immediately after formatting the government in 2001, the BNP-Jamaat men started massacring the Awami League leaders and activists, including killing, torturing, extorting, looting and raping their women. They even hired militant outfits to carry out killing missions across the country.
Khaleda Zia’s government used to communicate with the militants through eight BNP leaders under the direct guidance of Tarique Rahman. Even many members of the police force were forced to collaborate with the militants due to political pressure from some Ministers.
Leaders in the BNP government used to send money safely to militants through police personnel. Even if the police had to release arrested JMB militants sometimes due to pressure from the government, special orders would come from the higher levels of the government and Tarique’s political office ‘Hawa Bhaban’ to grant them bail from the court.
Immediately after formatting the government in 2001, the BNP-Jamaat men started massacring the Awami League leaders and activists, including killing, torturing, extorting, looting and raping their women. They even hired militant outfits to carry out killing missions across the country.
Khaleda Zia’s government used to communicate with the militants through eight BNP leaders under the direct guidance of Tarique Rahman. Even many members of the police force were forced to collaborate with the militants due to political pressure from some Ministers.
Leaders in the BNP government used to send money safely to militants through police personnel. Even if the police had to release arrested JMB militants sometimes due to pressure from the government, special orders would come from the higher levels of the government and Tarique’s political office ‘Hawa Bhaban’ to grant them bail from the court.