Nahid’s remarks are ‘political,’ says Information Advisor Zahed

“We expect a more responsible comment from the leader of a political party that played a very significant role in our mass uprising,” the advisor says

The Prime Minister’s Advisor on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman has described remarks made by Nahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), regarding the bomb attack at the party’s rally in Savar as “political.”

His comments came on Tuesday at a press briefing at the Secretariat, where the government briefed the media on the progress of various activities.

Nahid had alleged that the bomb attack on the NCP rally took place with the assistance of the administration. Asked about the allegation, Advisor Zahed said:

“Yesterday’s incident was deeply unfortunate. We strongly condemn it. The government’s primary responsibility is to investigate the incident, identify those involved, and bring them to justice.”

Referring to Nahid’s comments, he added: “I would simply say that there is something commonly known as a political statement, and he made a political statement. He has every right to do so.”

However, Zahed also said: “We expect a more responsible comment from the leader of a political party that played a very significant role in our mass uprising.”

Around 9:45pm on Monday, a crude bomb exploded during the NCP’s “July March” rally at Tarapur Eidgah Ground in Savar, leaving three people injured.

Later that night, Salamat Ullah Rony, Member Secretary of the NCP’s Dhaka North District unit, filed a case on behalf of the party.

According to the complaint, unidentified suspects orchestrated the explosion “with the intention of killing NCP leaders and ordinary attendees at the rally.”

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident as of now.

Zahed said, “The government will investigate the incident. It has not even been 24 hours since it occurred. It is not always possible to complete everything immediately.”

He added, “The government is making every possible effort to arrest those responsible, and we hope to do so soon. There is a process, there is an investigation, and various efforts are under way.”

The advisor further said that, despite the state's or the government's best efforts, untoward incidents can still occur.

“The important question is whether the government takes such incidents seriously and takes appropriate action. I can assure you that this government is doing exactly that.”