Tarique pays homage to Liberation War martyrs, prays for Zia

Tears welled up in Tarique's eyes as he Friday prayed for his father on a visit to the latter's grave in Dhaka after 19 years a day after a historic homecoming of the exiled BNP leader.

After crowd-retarded visit to martyred former president Ziaur Rahman's eternal resting place, Tarique Rahman cruised through human seas all the way to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar.

As the usual short drive to the city outskirts took long hours, senior BNP leaders placed wreaths at martyrs' memorial before sundown-as per set rule for entry-on behalf the party's acting chairman.

He moved through security bulwarks as enthusiasts slowed his journey, and reached the memorial about 10:00pm and offered his tributes to the Independence War martyrs.

After more than a decade and a half, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) visited the grave of his father Ziaur Rahman. He last visited the grave on September 1, 2006.

On Friday afternoon, a day after returning home from 17 years in exile in the UK, he paid homage to his father at the grave at Zia Udyan in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area of the capital.

He reached the grave at 4:42pm, where he first placed floral wreaths as a mark of respects. After staying there for nearly 10 minutes, he left the grave and got on the red-green bus - the colours of his party symbol.

Earlier, at 2:54pm, Tarique had left his Gulshan residence for Zia Udyan. Due to large crowds of supporters, his convoy moved slowly.

"Supporters chanted slogans as he made his way to the grave, marking an emotionally significant moment for them following his long absence," says an eyewitness account of situation.

Members of the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed in the Zia Udyan and surrounding areas.

Tarique's motorcade proceeded via Gulshan-2 intersection, Banani, Mohakhali flyover, the Chief Adviser's Office area, and Bijoy Sarani before reaching Zia Udyan.

After paying floral tributes at the grave, he offered prayers for eternal peace for his father's departed soul.

He wiped his eyes and stood in quiet reflection for a while.

During the prayers, he was joined by BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several members of the party's standing committee.

The senior party leaders also offered prayers and stood in solemn silence to honour the late president and independence warrior.

Other senior leaders in attendance included Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, and Hafizuddin Ahmed.

Access to the grave was restricted, with only senior party leaders allowed in the high-security premises.

In anticipation of his visit, law-enforcement agencies had taken position in and around the site from midday.

The park visitors stood at a distance.

From around 1:00 pm, large crowds of party leaders and activists started assembling in the vicinity, many carrying banners and portraits of the party leader and forming small, organised processions.

Like he did Thursday after homecoming, Tarique stood at the front of the bus and waved to the crowds gathering along the route. Members of the law-enforcement agencies were deployed along the entire route-stretching up to the national memorial.

Considering public inconveniences, he performed Jummah prayers at his residence.

Speaking to reporters at Zia's grave, Fakhrul said the country would move forward on its democratic journey with the help of Tarique.

"His [Tarique's] royal return Thursday carried that message," he said.

Expressing his hope for the formation of a democratic state under the leadership of Tarique, Fakhrul said the people of the country would regain their democratic rights through him.

Later in the day, Tarique, along with the party's standing committee members, also visited the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar.

For the delay on way, a BNP delegation paid homage on behalf of Acting Chairman of the BNP at 5:06, says a spot account.

The delegation included BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Roy and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP Chairperson Advisory Council members Amanullah Aman and Lutfuzzaman Babar, Dhaka District BNP President Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, general members Advocate Nipon Roy Chowdhury, and party leaders Dr. Dewana Mohammad Salauddin, Tamizuddin, Yasin Ferdous Murad, Ayub Khan, Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, and Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

From early afternoon, leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations began assembling around the National Martyrs' Memorial area. Many came carrying party flags, while others held banners and posters, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their leader. Tarique Rahman stood in front of the bus, waved to the gatherings, and exchanged greetings with party supporters.

The acting BNP chairman returned home from London on Thursday after nearly 17 years in exile. On his historic homecoming, Tarique Rahman was accorded a massive reception by the people of the country and the party. BNP organised a warm welcome for him along the July 36 Expressway in Dhaka, where millions of people were present.

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