'Bomb attack' at Savar rally attended by Nahid and Akhter injures three

One NCP member has been hospitalised with serious injuries

A crude bomb explosion reportedly at a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at the end of its “July March” has left at least three people injured.

Witnesses said the explosion took place around 9:45pm on Monday at the Eidgah ground near Savar Police Station.

NCP Convenor Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen were on the stage at that time.

The injured are Shahin Khandaker, Jasim Uddin, and Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, said NCP central committee member Yasir Arafat.

Shahin has been hospitalised with serious injuries, he added.

The explosion triggered panic among attendees, who scrambled for safety, witnesses said. Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam was also at the scene.

They, however, gathered again in front of the police station.

Nahid demanded justice over the attack before heading for Enam Medical College Hospital where activist Shahin was taken.

Savar Model Police Inspector (investigation) Nur Mohammad could not be reached for comments over the phone.

The central NCP leaders entered Savar around 9pm after finishing the march in Gazipur’s Kaliganj Upazila.

The power went out as they and other party leaders arrived at the rally venue.

Sarjis opened the rally as moderator. The explosion erupted as Nabila Tasnim, the NCP's parliamentary candidate for Dhamrai, was speaking after local leaders had addressed the gathering.

Power returned moments later, before Nahid, also the Opposition chief whip, called for a fair investigation and justice for those responsible.