Mymensingh cinema bombings

The Mymensingh cinema bombings were a coordinated bombing of four movie theaters that caused in the deaths of 27 people and injured over 200 others in Mymensingh, Bangladesh on 6 December 2002.[1] The bombing was carried out by Jama’atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh.[2]

Mymensingh cinema bombings
LocationMymensingh, Bangladesh
Date6 December 2002 (UTC+06:00)
TargetCinemagoers
Attack type
Bombs
Deaths27
Injured200+
PerpetratorsJama’atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh

Background

The attack happened two months after a circus and cinema were bombed in Satkhira, Bangladesh.[3] The attacks took place while the anti-crime Operation Clean Heart was ongoing. Soldiers from the operation were involved in the rescue and first-aid efforts. After the explosions, a bomb was found in Gaibandha, Bangladesh.[4]

Attack

The attacks took place following the Eid holidays, which meant the movie theaters were filled. On 6 December 2002 there were four simultaneous explosions in four different movie theaters.[5]

Trial

In 2007, Bangladesh Police charged three people with the crime. It also dropped the names of 43 people from the investigation which were added during the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Government including members of then opposition party Bangladesh Awami League and journalist.[6][7] As of 2017, there has been no verdict in the case and the victims have not received any compensation.[8]

Reactions

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, blamed the opposition party Awami League and described it as a planned attack to destabilize the government.[9]

References
  1. Ahsan, Shamim. "The Blame Game Goes on". Star Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  2. "First mass attack since 2005". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  3. Habib, Haroon (8 December 2002). "15 killed in blasts in Bangladesh theatres". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  4. Habib, Haroon. "Terror struck". Frontline. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. "Bombs hit cinemas in Bangladesh". BBC News. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. "3 JMB operatives charged with Mymensingh cinema blasts". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  7. "3 JMB men charged with Mymensingh cinema blasts". The Daily Star. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  8. Ahmed, Ilias. "Mymensingh cinema hall bombing: No verdict 15 years on". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  9. "'Students of Madrasa' claim cinema hall blasts". Zee News. 12 December 2002. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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