President M Abdul Hamid has expressed his optimism that the pro-democratic and patriotic people would come forward being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation to build a dignified, happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

In a message, on the eve of the 17th anniversary of the heinous grenade attack, the president said this on Friday (August 20).

The President paid rich tributes to the victims of August 21 grenade attack in 2004 and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

“August 21 grenade attack in 2004 is a mournful day as the killers launched the history’s barbaric grenade attacks on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue with an attempt to kill Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” said President Abdul Hamid in his message.

“The August 21, 2004 grenade attack was aimed at making bankrupt the AL and Bangladesh in leadership and stopping democratic process and establishing autocracy and militancy,” he said, adding that the people of the country did not let it happen.