Martyred Intellectuals' Day observed

The nation on Thursday observed the Martyred Intellectuals' Day paying glowing tributes to the intellectuals who were brutally killed by the Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the country's Liberation War in 1971, reports BSS.

Sensing a humiliating defeat, the retreating Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators -- Rajakars, Al-Badrs and Al-Shams -- dragged off the frontline Bangalee intellectuals and worthy professionals from their houses on December 14 and assassinated them with the intention of crippling the newborn nation intellectually.

Marking the day, hundreds of people from all walks of life converged on at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur and the Rayer Bazar killing ground (Baddhobhumi) to pay homage to the worthy sons of the soil.

The programmes of the day included raising black flag and hoisting of the national flag at half mast, placing of wreaths at the martyred intellectuals memorials and graveyards, discussions, lighting of candles in memory of the martyrs, morning marches, and milad and doa mahfils seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid deep homage to the martyred intellectuals of 1971 at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.

The head of the state placed the wreath at the memorial at about 7:05 to pay homage to the great heroes, who embraced martyrdom for the cause of the country and the nation, just two days before the final victory during the 1971 Liberation War.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid tributes to the martyred intellectuals there on the occasion.

After placing the wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood in silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyred intellectuals.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and the Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion, while the bugles played the last post.

Later, flanked by party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, placed another wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial as the chief of her party.

Later, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and family members of martyred intellectuals and war-victims placed wreaths there.

Later , the Prime Minister went to Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the capital and laid a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum there to pay homage to the Architect of the Independence Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the great leader of Bangladesh.

The premier also placed another wreath there as the AL party chief with the party leaders.