Dhaka: Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Monday alleged that the August 21 grenade attack was unleashed on Sheikh Hasina in 2004 under the state patronage.

He also accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for giving patronage in the grenade attack.

Attending a commemorating meeting organised by Bangabandhu Sanskritik Jote at Jatiya Press Club marking the 14th death anniversary of Ivy Rahman, then President of Awami Mohila League and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife, Qamrul came up with the allegation.

The minister accused BNP-Jamaat of hatching conspiracies in every return of the month of August, according to a press release of Press Information Department (PID).

Noting that Ivy was a popular women’s leader, minister said with the ISIpatronage, the August 21 attack was launched and 24 people including Ivy were killed,

He described how the then government made a mockery of justice by derailing the attack’s investigation and hoped verdict of the August 21 grenade attack case will be delivered in September.

At least 24 leaders and activists, including AL’s women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack on August 21 in 2004 in Dhaka.