Staff Reporter :
The nation on Friday observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day in a befitting manner.
On this day 47 years ago, the marauding Pakistani Army, in collusion with their local collaborators al-Badr, al-Shams and Razakars, killed prominent intellectuals of Bangladesh with an aim of crippling a newly emerging nation.
The people from all walks of life paid their homage to the Martyred Intellectuals placing floral wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur and the Rayer Bazar Monument .
The programmes of the day included raising of black flags and hoisting of the National Flag half mast, placing of wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals memorials, discussions, lighting of candles in memory of the Martyrs, mourning procession, painting, general knowledge and hand writing competitions and doa mahfils for the salvation of the departed souls of the Martyrs.
Different political and socio-cultural organisations started to reach the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial for paying homage.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the Martyred Intellectuals by visiting the Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur on Friday morning.
Both the President and the Prime Minister placed wreaths at the altar of the memorial and stood there in silence for a while.
A team of the President Guard Regiment offered Guard of Honour and the bugle played a sombre tune.
The Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and party leaders and workers paid their homage to the Martyred Intellectuals.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq and Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Mohammad Sayeed Khokon, amongst others, were present.
Later, the Prime Minister talked to the war-wounded freedom fighters and the family members of the Martyred Intellectuals and enquired about their wellbeing. Families as well as students from different educational institutions have streamed onto the Rayer Bazar Monument.
Dr Kamal Hossain, ASM Abdur Rab, Zafrullah Chowdhury, Jaglul Haider Afrik, Reza Kibria and Abdus Salam on behalf of Jatiya Oikyafront placed wreaths at the memorial in observance of the day.
Reza Kibria from Gono Forum, BNP leader Abdus Salam and Gonoshyasthya Kendra Trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury were present on the scene.
Leaders of Dhaka City AL, Awami Juba League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Mahila AL, Chhatra League, Juba Mahila League, Tanti League, Mukitijoddha Sangsad, Dhaka University, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Shishu Academy, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Gabeshana Parishad, National Museum, Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Biplobi Workers Party, National Awami Party, Chhatra Union, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Universities and other educational institutions and socio-cultural-professional bodies placed wreaths paying homage to the Martyred Intellectuals.
The state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar along with other private TV channels aired special programmes commemorating the day.
Discussion meetings were arranged in all districts and upazilas. Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy. The Liberation War Museum organised discussions and cultural programmes.
On the night of December 14, 1971, over 200 intellectuals including educationists, journalists, litterateurs, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, philosophers and political thinkers were picked up in Dhaka by the Pakistani occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators.
The intellectuals were taken blindfolded to torture cells in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Nakhalpara, Rajarbagh and other locations in different parts of the city and later executed en masse at different killing grounds, most notably at Rayerbazar and Mirpur.
Since then, the day has been observed as the Martyred Intellectuals Day.
