Two newspapers from Transcom Group, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, have implicated former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in the infamous August 21 grenade attack, a claim that has sparked considerable controversy.
The reports have raised questions about the direction of the investigation, with critics suggesting that the media outlets are attempting to frame the top BNP leadership as responsible for the attack, potentially for political motives.
Matiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo, wrote in an August 2008 editorial that during her tenure, Khaleda Zia had allegedly barred the Directorate General of Defense Intelligence (DGFI) from probing the grenade attack, instructing certain military and civilian officials to carry out the investigation instead. His comments have been cited by those who believe the media outlet is pushing a narrative that aligns with political objectives.
Meanwhile, The Daily Star, another newspaper of the Transcom Group, has focused on linking Tarique Rahman to the attack, particularly through its October 2009 report by senior journalist Zulfikar Ali Manik.
The report claimed that several key figures from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, including State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu, were involved in planning the attack, alleging a plot emanating from Hawa Bhaban.
The same report mentioned that the BNP government administration was interfering in many things. Because its top leaders, led by Tarique Rahman, Babar and Aminul Haque, had been in the headlines since 2004 for sponsoring Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.
These two newspapers had given all the suggestions to fascist Hasina government to frame BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in the grenade attack case. Because of this, the investigation of this case was affected in various ways after the Awami League came to power. Relevant reporters of these two newspapers had frequent meetings with the officer in charge of the investigation of this case, Abdul Kahar Akand.
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
