4 injured as crude bomb explodes at NCP rally in Savar
Senior party leaders, including Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and Chief Organiser (Northern region) Sarjis Alam, were present on the stage at the time of the incident.
Highlights
- 4 injured in crude bomb attack at NCP's Savar rally
- Nahid blames police failure, alleges political motive behind attack
- Police admitted security lapse and promised swift arrests, says Nahid
- NCP files case, demands accountability and justice
Four people were injured after a crude bomb exploded during a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Savar tonight (6 July), disrupting the party's month-long "July Awakening to Build the Nation" march programme.
The explosion occurred at around 9:45pm during the post-march rally at Savar Thana Stand Eidgah Ground, where a large number of police personnel were deployed.
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According to NCP central leader Yasir Arafat, the blast took place while Dhaka district NCP Convener Nabila Tasnid was delivering her speech. Senior party leaders, including Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and Chief Organiser (Northern region) Sarjis Alam, were present on the stage at the time of the incident.
The injured were identified as Md Shahin Khandakar, 30, Md Jasim, 26, Md Shahadat Hossain, 40, and Imran, 35. They were taken to Enam Medical College Hospital for treatment.
There was no immediate statement from police regarding the incident.
Following the explosion, the party's Dhaka South unit immediately announced a protest procession in condemnation of the incident.
Nahid accuses police of failure, alleges political motive behind blast
Speaking to reporters at Savar Model Police Station at around 11pm, Nahid said, "An incident like this clearly indicates a failure on the part of the police. We also believe there was a political motive behind this from a law-and-order perspective.
"If the police are politicised, they will not be able to protect us in such situations because they will act on political instructions. If the police are able to arrest those responsible, we will believe they are acting impartially."
The NCP chief added, "We saw police present at the venue, but after the power outage, we did not see any active response from them. Some officers came after the bomb attack and tried to ensure our safety, while others left."
Nahid also said that he and other NCP leaders had demanded an explanation from the police over the incident. According to him, the police admitted they had failed to provide adequate security, expressed regret over the lapse, and assured the party that the attackers would be arrested as quickly as possible.
"The police say they are making efforts. Now we want to see those efforts translated into action -- not just words -- by arresting the attackers, ensuring justice, and guaranteeing the security of the people of Savar. If they can make the arrests, that will prove their commitment."
He further said that Salamat Ullah Rony, member secretary of NCP's Savar upazila unit, was filing a case with Savar Model Police Station as the complainant over the attack.
