Amidst a new threat of assassination from an Islamist militant organisation, Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday made the first public appearance since the Saturday's deadly grenade attack to pay her last tribute to veteran Awami League leader Ivy Rahman at the deceased's residence. AL leaders and personal staff of Hasina maintained utmost secrecy until the last moment about the visit. The AL president even avoided boarding the jeep carrying national and party flags to dodge possible attacks. Escorted by two police vans Hasina's motorcade of eight sports utility vehicles started towards Ivy's Gulshan residence at 2:00pm and returned to her Sudha Sadan residence after three hours at around 5:00pm. The opposition leader had kept herself confine to Sudha Sadan for about 93 hours after the Saturday's grisly attack, which she but narrowly escaped.
Hikmatul Zihad, a previously unheard-of organisation, on Monday claimed responsibility for the August 21 grenade and gun attack on Hasina and the AL rally, and vowed to assassinate her in a week. When her motorcade reached the porch of Ivy-Concord Tower, Hasina along with her sister Sheikh Rehana alighted from a red Toyota jeep. Her personal security staff, party volunteers and a large contingent of police kept her encircled until she got into the fifth floor apartment of Ivy and Zillur Rahman. Ivy's body was brought home at 2:30pm as hundreds of AL leaders and workers, her kin, friends and admirers thronged the apartment to pay homage, and also to see Hasina. Police, intelligence officials and party volunteers were seen busy to disperse any unwanted gathering in front of the house. Police also thoroughly checked every one entering the house to express sympathy to the bereaved family. Security measures at Sudha Sadan meanwhile have been beefed up after the latest Hikmatul Zihad's threat to the opposition leader, according to government sources. Restrictions were imposed on general visitors.
AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil however alleged the government did not take any measure to step up Hasina's security after the latest threat. "It's the responsibility of the government to provide adequate security to the leader of the opposition," said Jalil, which he said it has absolutely failed to do. "Threat on Sheikh Hasina is not new. We've been repeatedly asking the government to arrange adequate security for her, but it didn't pay any heed to us," he added. |