Staff Reporter :The nation on Monday paid deep respect and tribute to the fallen people who met the tragic end of their lives in a deadly terror attacks in a Gulshan restaurant in the city on Friday night.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her cabinet members, relatives of the deceased, government high ups, foreign diplomats and people from all walks of life bade a tearful farewell to the victims at Bangladesh Army Stadium on the second day of the two-day state mourning in memory of the victims of the barbaric act.Besides, advisors to the Prime Minister, parliament members, Chiefs of the three services and leaders of different political parties also paid homage to the victims of the terror attacks in Holey Artisan Bakery.The Prime Minister placed floral wreath at 10:00am on the altar of a podium erected in memory of the victims from home and abroad, after a wreath was placed on behalf of President Md Abdul Hamid. The President is now on a state visit to Bhutan. Commander M Minhaz Alam, a Bangabhaban official paid homage on behalf of the President.Two cascades of Bangladeshi Nationals Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain and Ishrat Akhond, covered with Bangladesh National Flag and cascade of one Bangladesh origin US citizen Abinta Kabir, covered with Bangladesh and US flags, were kept on the raised platform.The background of the podium was put up with the flags of Bangladesh, Italy, Japan, India and the United States in memory of the nationals of these countries, fell victims of the terror attacks.A banner in front the podium read “The people of Bangladesh deeply mourn for the victims of Holey Artisan Bakery tragedy.”After placing wreath the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence to pay respect to the deceased. One-minute silence was observed.Sheikh Hasina talked to the relatives of the deceased and conveyed sympathy to them. She also talked to envoys of the United States, Japan, India and Italy.US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat, Japanese Ambassador Masato Watanabe, High Commissioner of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Ambassador of Italy Mario PALMA also paid tributes to the victims.Relatives of the deceased, ambassadors of the friendly countries, central leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, 14-party alliance, FBCCI, BGMEA, family members of the deceased police officials and mayors of Dhaka north and south city corporations followed the Prime Minister in placing wreath to the terror victims.BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir placed wreaths on behalf of the party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and on behalf of the party. Party leaders Abdullah Al Noman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, ANH Aktar Hossain and Khairul Kabir Khokon were also present. The US Ambassador said, her country is ready to eliminate terrorism from Bangladesh.The Italian ambassador asked for more steps to strengthening security in Bangladesh. The envoy also said Italy will stay besides Bangladesh. The Indian High Commissioner also said as a neighbouring country, India always keeps in touch with Bangladesh in every crisis. After paying homage the bodies were handed over to the relatives of the victims. An Army officer handed over the death certificates to the relatives.Holey Artisan Bakery of Gulshan came under attack on Friday night by the gunmen. The assailants killed 22, including two police officials. Commandos stormed the bakery on Saturday morning and rescued 13 hostages alive.
