At least three people were injured after a reported bomb explosion struck a rally organised by Bangladesh’s student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) in Savar, near Dhaka, on Monday night.
According to the party, the explosion occurred at around 9.45 pm during a public meeting marking the opening day of its nationwide July March campaign, which seeks political and economic reforms.
In a statement, the NCP alleged that the blast specifically targeted its gathering.
“Terrorists detonated a bomb at the post-march rally venue of the NCP in Savar. The explosion took place at around 9:45 PM on Monday while the rally was underway at the Savar Thana Stand Eidgah field,” the party said.
The rally was led by students who had spearheaded the movement against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and forms part of a month-long campaign coinciding with the second anniversary of the protests that culminated in her removal from power.
According to the NCP, the July March aims to build support for a series of political and economic demands, including a national referendum, greater job creation, measures to address the country’s power crisis, control of rising commodity prices and stronger border security.
The campaign is part of a broader nationwide outreach programme launched by the newly formed political party throughout July.
Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, following the political upheaval widely referred to as the “July Revolution.”
Separately, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on April 17 that it is examining a formal extradition request submitted by Bangladesh through established legal and judicial channels.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the request is under review as India continues to engage with Bangladesh’s interim leadership following the country’s political transition.
