Chittagong Bureau :Chittagong Mass Killing Day was observed in the port city with a call for expediting trials of the persons responsible for the heinous crime on this day in 1988 on Friday .Different political parties, socio-cultural organizations organized various programmes marking the occasion. The programmes included placing wreaths on the premises of Chittagong Court Hill Monument, discussion meeting, hoisting black flags and wearing black badges.The day is observed in commemoration of 24 innocent people, who were killed in indiscriminate police firing on a huge procession, led by the then leader of the 15- party Alliance and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, near Laldighi Maidan and Chittagong Court Building. At least 200 people were injured in the incident.Sheikh Hasina, who along with central party leaders had been on board an exclusively decorated Laldighi bound truck-cum podium, escaped narrowly as committed and dedicated party leaders and workers forged a human shield to save their beloved leader Hasina.Chittagong City Awami League organized a discussion meeting in front of Chittagong Ainjibi Samity office this afternoon to mark the day.Former city mayor and president of Chittagong City Awami League A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury was the chief guest while general secretary of Chittagong City AL A Z M Nasir Uddin, former general secretary of Chittagong District Bar Association Advocate Iftekher Saimul Chowdhury, AL leaders Khurshed Alam Chowdhury Babul, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, panel mayor Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni and ward councilor Jawaharlal Hazari, Gita Chowdhury, among others, took part in the discussion.Relatives and family members of the January 24 martyred including Srimoti Protiva Rani Chowdhury, mother of Sawpan Chowdhury, also addressed the function.Speaking at the function, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury said the people like the 1990 mass upsurge against autocratic regime will resist those who want to assume state power at gunpoint. Chittagong city units of Awami Juba League and Jatiya Sramik League also organized daylong programmes to observe the day.
