BSS, Dhaka :The Martyred Intellectuals Day was observed in the capital and elsewhere across the country yesterday with a vow to build Sonar Bangla free from the curse of war criminals who committed crimes against the humanity during the War of Liberation.With a call from people from all walks of life to execute the war crimes’ verdict, the day, commemorating the tragic assassination of the illustrious sons of the soil just two days before the Bengalese’s final victory after a bloody nine-month war in 1971, was observed amid various programmes.The programmes included hoisting of black flag, keeping the national flag half-mast, placing wreaths at the martyrs’ memorials, milad mahfil and doa munajat, candle-lighting and discussion meetings.Hundreds of people from all strata with black banners, festoons, wreaths and petals thronged before dawn to the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial and also the Rayerbazar Mausoleum (Killing Ground) from different corners of the capital to pay their homage. The entire area and its adjoining streets turned into a human sea. “We don’t fear death in commemoration of the martyred intellectuals”, “We will not let the bloods of the martyrs go in vain” and “Leave the country right now, Jamaat-Shibir-Rajakar”. These were slogans inscribed on black banners carried by the people on their way to pay tributes to the brave sons.On behalf of the nation, President Md Abdul Hamid was the first personality to lay wreath at the Martyred Intellectual Memorial at Mirpur in the morning. Seconds later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina followed suit in laying wreaths at the memorial. Later, Sheikh Hasina as the president of the ruling Awami League (AL), along with her party stalwarts also placed another wreath at the memorial.Awami League Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta, presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury, general secretary Syed Ashfraful Islam, joint-general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, organizing secretary Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Swapon, deputy publicity and publication secretary Wasim Kumar Ukil, among others, were present.Marking the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the morning. Members of the cabinet, Prime Minister’s advisers, AL senior leaders and leaders of associate bodies were present.Meanwhile , Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and deputy speaker Dr Fazlee Rabbi Mia also paid their tribute to the martyrs intellectuals in the morning. After departure of the Prime Minister from the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial, it was opened for different political and socio- cultural-professional bodies and educational institutions as well as the people from all walks of life.Family members of the martyred intellectuals and wounded freedom fighters placed wreaths at the memorial.Leader of the Opposition Begum Rawshan Ersahd, accompanied by Jatiya party lawmakers Noman Mia and Selim Udddin, also placed wreath at the intellectuals’ memorial.Later, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia along with her party stalwarts laid wreaths at the memorial in the morning. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Barrister Maudud Ahmed and Dr Moin Khan, among others, were present there.Different political and socio-cultural organisations, professional bodies and educational institutions also paid deep homage to the martyrs placing wreaths at the memorial in observance of the day. Workers’ Party of Bangladesh led by Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) led by Hasanul Haq Inu, Samyabadi Dal led by Dilip Barua, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganoforum, NAP (Bhasani), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Biplobi Workers Party, Bangabandhu Parishad, Dhaka City AL, Awami Juba League, Mahila Awami League, Juba Mahila League, Awami Swechchasebak League, Chhatra League, Krishak League, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Chhatra Oikya Forum, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Liberation War Museum, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Dhaka University, Shilpakala Academy, Udichi Shilpy Goshthy, Bangabandhu Academy, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and Khelaghar also placed wreaths at the memorial.The entire area and its adjoining streets turned into a human sea as hundreds of people from all walks of life also converged at the Rayerbazar Mausoleum (Killing Ground) from different city areas to pay their homage. Early in the morning, on behalf of Sheikh Hasina, AL joint-general secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif and Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organizing secretary Ahmed Hossain, information and research secretaryAdvocate Afzal Hossain and AL publicity secretary, also special assistant to Prime Minister, Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap also placed wreaths at the memorial of Rayer Bazar.Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television (TV) channels and radio stations aired special programmes, while newspapers published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
