BSS, Dhaka :The first day of the Month of Mourning in commemoration of the gruesome murder of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in the August 15 carnage began in the city today amid various programmes. On the fateful night of August 15 in 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with the most of his family members were assassinated in a military putsch carried out by a group of over ambitious and disgruntled officers of army.The August 15 carnage not only claimed the life of Bangabandhu but also the lives of his wife Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and his daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal.Some 16 family members of Bangabandhu’s family including his brother Sheikh Naser, bother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and noted journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel Jamil were killed in the mayhem.The August 15 has been observed as the National Mourning Day since assumption of office by the Awami League government on June 23, 1996.The programmes of the first day of August this year included discussions, mourning marches, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, holding of milad and doa mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of the martyrs and candlelight vigil.Leaders and workers of the associate bodies of the ruling Awami League and likeminded organisations placed wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu in the city early today. Awami Samarthak Jote (AL supporters’ group) began the Month of Mourning programmes with a candlelight vigil and placing wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Avenue at one-minute past zero hours of today.Dhaka city unit of Awami League, and about 22 others associate and likeminded organizations also took part in the programme. Awami League Presidium Member and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, and AL Dhaka city unit General Secretary and Disaster Management and Relief Affairs Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram attended the programme.Besides, Awami Swechchasebak League (ASL) began the month-long mourning programme by lighting candles and placing of wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road-32 at one-minute past zero hours. Bangladesh Awami Juba League and Bangladesh Chhatra League also lit candles and placed wreaths there in the early hours of today.
