DHAKA: Speakers at a human-chain demo here have demanded arrest and punishment of the perpetrators and masterminds behind the August 21grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004 in the capital.

Paribartan Foundation, a non-government organization, organized the demo in front of the National Press Club here Friday. Delwar Hossain Faruk, executive director of the foundation, presided over the programme.

The speakers raised a question about the intimacy of mastermind of the attack and militant leader Maulana Tajuddin with daily Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman.

They said as Tajuddin’s brother, detained BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, during interrogation, admitted to having relation with Motiur Rahman, the newspaper editor “should be arrested and interrogated”.

“The mystery behind the grenade attack would be unveiled if the Prothom Alo editor is interrogated,” the gathering was told.

Former Ambassador and Secretary Waliur Rahman told the demonstrators, “Conspiracy would continue unless the perpetrators are punished.”

BDST: 1245 HRS, AUG  7, 2010