Staff Reporter :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informed the parliament that efforts are ongoing to arrest 15 fugitives, including those convicted in the August 21, 2004, grenade attack case.
The attack, aimed at an anti-terrorism rally of the then-opposition Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue, resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
Among the fugitives are prominent figures such as Tarique Rahman, also known as Tarique Zia, who holds a leadership position within the BNP party.
“Of the 49 defendants sentenced, 34 are in custody, while 15, including Tarique Rahman, remain at large,” Hasina stated during a question-answer session with Treasury Bench lawmaker Farida Yasmin.
The Prime Minister’s remarks were part of the day’s parliamentary proceedings, overseen by Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
In a trial conducted by Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal No-1 on October 10, 2018, 19 convicts were sentenced to death, 19 received life imprisonment, and 11 were given various jail terms.
Interpol has issued red notices for three of the fugitives – Maulana Tajuddin, Haris Chowdhury, and Ratul Ahmed Babu. “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend these fugitives,” Hasina assured.
Responding to another issue, Prime Minister Hasina addressed a query from Independent MP Hamidul Haque Khondker regarding the Teesta River Master Plan.
The plan, aimed at the large-scale development of the river basin, is financially supported by the Chinese government. A survey was completed in 2020, followed by the submission of a Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) to the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
In March 2021, the Bangladeshi government requested soft loan assistance from China through its embassy in Dhaka.
The Chinese government provided an evaluation report on March 5, 2023, which highlighted the need for further analysis on large-scale land development and navigation system improvements. It also recommended phased implementation of the project.
Following these recommendations, Power China submitted a proposal to revise the feasibility study report to the Bangladesh Water Development Board on August 27, 2023. “Subsequent actions are being taken based on these developments,” Hasina stated.