Nation observes Aug 15 with solemnity

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The nation spontaneously observed the 32nd death anniversary of independence leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman amid a state of emergency on a limited scale, report UNB /bdnews24.com
On August 15, 1975, a band of errant, misguided military officers gruesomely assassinated Sheikh Mujib, the architect of independent Bangladesh, along with most of his family, close relatives and staff.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday paid tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing wreaths at his mazar at Tungipara, Gopalganj.
President Iajuddin Ahmed placed wreaths at 10:30 am while Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at 11:30am.
During their separate tributes, the President and the CA stood in solemn silence for a few minutes to pay respect to the late national leader when military bugles were played to its last post. Guards of honour were given by a smartly turned out contingent from three services of the Armed Forces.
The President and the CA offered munajat seeking divine blessings for the departed soul of Bangabandhu and for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Army Chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Air Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman also paid respect to late Bangabandhu and offered munajat with the President and the Chief Adviser.
After the departure of the President, the three chiefs offered munajat at the mazar of Bangabandhu and went round the mazar.
Both the President and the CA also made remarks at the visitors' book kept at the mazar. Senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier on March 17 this year, the CA had visited the Bangabandhu's mazar to pay homage and offer munajat on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
In the city, the mourning day's programme started with paying tribute to his portrait enshrined at the front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmandi.
Earlier at dawn, the Awami League (AL) hoisted the national flag and party at flag half-mast and raised black flags on the rooftop of the building, once Bangabandhu's home, where the assassination had been perpetrated.
The AL leaders led by acting party president Zillur Rahman reached the Bangabandhu Bhaban at 8:50 am, 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the solemn ceremony.