The Historic Six-point Day will be observed today (Thursday) in the country, marking the placing of the demand for autonomy of the erstwhile East Pakistan, report agencies.
On this day in 1966, Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a daylong hartal throughout the East Pakistan pressing for the demand for its autonomy.
The Awami League placed the demands to end the exploitation, deprivation, subjugation and tyranny let loose by the central government of Pakistan on the people of the eastern province.
At the call of Awami League, the people of the then East Pakistan joined the Six-point Movement spontaneously and observed the dawn-to-dusk hartal across the province.
The law enforcers opened fire on the demonstrators at various places in Dhaka and Narayanganj, which left at least 10 people killed. The incident had intensified the movement for the provincial autonomy.
The AL, its associate bodies, other political parties and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes to observe the day.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages recalling the sacrifices of the heroic Bangalees in the Six-point Movement.
In his message, the President said: "The historic Six-point Movement still inspires us to bolster and institutionalise our current democratic system and build a hunger -and poverty-free Bangladesh."
The Prime Minister, in her message, said the present government, imbued with the spirit of all democratic movements and struggles, including the historic June 7, is committed to protecting people's democratic rights.
