Explosion outside Pranab Mukherjee’s hotel in Dhaka

 

Dhaka, 04 mar 2013 (IANS): A small bomb exploded on Monday outside a hotel in Dhaka where President Pranab Mukherjee is staying on his official visit to Bangladesh, TV channels reported. According to initial reports, no one was injured in the blast.

 

It could not be ascertained whether President Pranab Mukherjee was in the hotel Sonargaon or not at the time of explosion.

 

Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday expressed confidence that Bangladesh’s democratic traditions would grow stronger with time and the people would preserve democracy with their "constant vigil" - as a strike called by an Islamist party entered the second day amid clashes that have claimed over 70 lives.

 

Mukherjee, addressing a convocation ceremony at Dhaka University after accepting a doctorate conferred on him, said: "You have been steadfast... You know that it means respect for the rule of law and building of strong institutions along with free speech and a vibrant media. I am confident that democratic traditions in Bangladesh will grow stronger with time and that you will preserve democracy with your constant vigil."

 

The Indian President landed in Dhaka on Sunday amid a two day strike called by the Jamaat-e-Islami to protest the death sentence awarded to JI chief Delwar Hossain Sayedee for the 1971 war crimes, including rape and genocide. Over 70 people have been killed in clashes.

 

Addressing the students of the university, located close to Shahbag Square - the scene of massive protests by the youth demanding death penalty for those guilty of war crimes, Mukherjee said: "Young men and women like you are the engine of socio-economic development of our region.

 

"The future of Bangladesh is in your hands. You should know that you have a past which is steeped in glory, and a future that is full of promise. I have been deeply impressed by the maturity, awareness and involvement of the youth of Bangladesh in the task of nation building."

 

The Shahbag protests are the largest the country has witnessed in the past 20 years. Spearheaded mostly by students active on social media platforms like Facebook, twitter and blogging forums, the protests have galvanised thousands to demand death penalty for those guilty of war crimes, mostly Jamaat activists.

 

Mukherjee said India and Bangladesh are interlinked like no other nation on earth.

 

"Within our resources, India remains committed to supporting the comprehensive development of Bangladesh and the aspirations of its people," he said.

 

Both countries need to grow together to maximize their economic cooperation potential, he said.