Bomb blasts condemned

Different political, socio-cultural, human rights, lawyers' associations, trade bodies and business organisations strongly condemned the deadly blast that also injured around one thousand people.

Leaders and workers of these organisations also brought out protest processions at different places across the country, including the capital, just after spreading out of the news of the incident. They also demanded proper investigation into the blast as well as all other similar incidents to mete out punishment to the culprits.

Blaming the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for the bomb blasts, leaders also demanded resignation of the home minister for his failure to capture militants including the JMB Chief Shaykh Abdur Rahman and Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) Operation Commander Siddiqur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai.

They said that the government's indifference to the earlier attacks has contributed to the recurrence of attacks on court premises, rallies and functions of different political and cultural organisations through out the country.

They also demanded compensation for the families of the victims and the injured.

At an emergency meeting after the incident, Sammilita Ainjibi Samannoy Parishad called countrywide down to dusk hartal protesting bomb blasts on court premises. Lawyers will also observe condolence day tomorrow.

Eminent jurist and Jatiya Oikya Mancha Convenor Dr Kamal Hossain said bomb attacks were a deadly blow on the state, judiciary and national security.

In his instant reaction to the media, he said all should get united on the question of national security sidelining party politics.

Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud said it appeared that due to lack of commitment on the part of the government, the militants continued their bombing operations unabated.

"Even after arrest of the operatives, (police) are compelled to let them off at somebody's instruction," he said.

President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury in a statement expressed concern over the repeated bomb explosions on court premises. He demanded a judicial probe into the incident.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and General Secretary Bimal Biswas in a statement said that the BNP-Jamaat alliance government must bear the responsibility for the planned attacks to wipe out the opposition.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) said such an attack would not be stop unless Jamaat-e-Islami is not removed from the ruling four-alliance party.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu and General Secretary Syed Jafar Sajjad said the Islamist militants including JMB shielded by the government masterminded the attack. He called for the people to get united in opposition to the menace of religious extremists.

Left leaning Five-Party in a statement said that the latest in the recent spate of blasts in fact substantiates the popular claim that lawlessness prevails in the country.

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) Convenor Khalequzzaman said Habiganj blast is not an isolated one, rather very much linked to all previous bomb and grenade attacks.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) in a statement termed the bomb blasts inhuman and flagrant violation of human rights and the law and order in the country. Duta President AAMS Arefin Siddique and General Secretary Dr Akhtaruzzaman said that grenade and bomb blasts on the progressive forces have been taking place unhindered since the four-party came to power.

Besides, Court Reporters' Association, Democratic Lawyers Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Krishak League, Jatiya Krishak Party, Jubo Gonoforum, Jatiya Nari Oikya Mancha, Bangladesh Muktijuddha Smriti Sangrakkhan Sangsad, Banghabandhu Jubo Parishad, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP), Jatiya Gonofront, Chhayanaut, Bam Ganotantrik Front, Bangladesh Liberal Party, Muktijoddha Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Sanjukta Sramik Federation, Jatiya Sramik Jote-Bangladesh, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Jubo Moitri, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Sammilita Samajik Andolon, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, Biborton Sangskritik Kendra, Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad, Bangladesh Ganotantrik Ainjibi Samity and Post Graduate Doctors' Association, among many others, issued separate statements condemning the attack and demanding exemplary punishment to the culprits.