BD observes National Mourning Day

The country observed National Mourning Day commemorating the assassination of its independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Wednesday, report agencies.

The nation observed the day with due reverence and solemnity.

The day -- a public holiday -- began with the flying of the national flag at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous organisations, educational institutions, private establishments and Bangladesh missions abroad.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their homages by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 on Wednesday morning.

The Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujib, then President of the new republic, was killed along with most members of the family on August 15, 1975 by a group of disgruntled army officers at his  Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka.

His two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana -- luckily survived the massacre as they were abroad at that time.

Eighteen members of the family along with Bangabandhu's wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons -- Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell--, two daughters-in-law -- Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal --, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were killed on the fateful night.

Bangabandhu's Military Secretary Col Jamil Uddin Ahmad (Bir Uttam), who was later promoted posthumously to the rank of Brigadier General, was also killed during the massacre.

Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day.

The day was a public holiday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the architect of the independence by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital in the morning.

After placing wreaths, they stood there in solemn silence for some time showing respects to the great leader.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time, while bugle played tune of grief and sombre to the last post.

A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.

Later, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, flanked by party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader and senior leaders placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the Awami League.

After paying tributes to Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road-32 which witnessed the world's most barbaric carnage on this day 43 years ago.

Both stayed there in the house for some time which has now been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Later, the Prime Minister went to Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves.

They also offered Fateha and doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mazar in Tungipara of Gopalganj.

After laying the wreath, the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute on the occasion, while bugle played the last post. The chiefs of the three services were present on the occasion.

Accompanied by Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister then offered munajat at the mazar seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.

Prayers were also offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

The Prime Minister along with cabinet members, party leaders and workers joined a milad and doa mahfil organised by the Cabinet Division and Gopalganj district administration on the mazar premises.

Bangladesh Mahila Awami League arranged a milad and doa mahfil in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital after Asr prayers.