DHAKA: Paribortan Foundation (PF) Friday demanded trial of militant Moulana Tajuddin and his so-called mentor Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman for allegedly planning the grenade attack on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while she was in the opposition on August 21, 2004.

The PF leaders formed a human chain on Friday morning in front of the national press club demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for the duo.

They said the CID has information that Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman had “close relations” with “terrorist” Tajuddin Ahmed and he should be arrested and interrogated.

Former Ambassador Syed Waliur Rahman, addressing the prime minister, said, “The same group who killed father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman again took an attempt to kill you.

“Democracy and the constitution have to be protected by bringing them to justice. Interrogating Tajuddin would reveal the identity of the conspirators of the grenade attack.”

With Executive Director of PF Delwar Hossain in the chair, the human-chain function was also addressed, among others, by editor of the Granthana Prokashana Aslam Shihir, Jubo League member KM Emdad and Arifur Rahman Mintu.

BDST/1245/AUGUST 13, 2010