Nation pays homage to language martyrs

---

The nation observed the immortal Ekushey February and the International Mother Language Day Thursday in a befitting manner paying glowing tributes to the memory of the Martyrs of 1952 Language Movement with a fresh vow to ensure capital punishment for all war criminals, reports BSS. When the clock struck 12:01 am Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the Language Movement heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue 61 years back. The Prime Minister, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, later placed wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar along with her senior party leaders and cabinet colleagues on behalf of the party. Immediately after the Prime Minister left the venue, thousands of people from all strata of life wearing black badges and flags converged on the Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the language heroes singing the immortal song on Amar Ekushey "Amar Bhayer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February. Ami Ki Vuletey Paari." Similarly, tens of thousands of barefooted people from all walks of life converged on Shaheed Minars across the country to pay homage to the language martyrs. This year's Amar Ekushey is unlike previous years, as the youngsters' continuous protest at Projonmmo Chattar of Shahbagh Square has started the second chapter of War of Liberation demanding death penalty for the war criminals, who committed crimes against humanity in 1971. Dhaka streets this year witnessed more people imbued with the indomitable spirit of Amar Ekhushey and War of Liberation, sparked by the Projonmo Chattar protesters, to free the country of unwanted elements like war criminals. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali and Chief Whip Vice-Principal Abdus Shahid, cabinet members, lawmakers, chiefs of three services, Dhaka University Vice- Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique and Teachers' Association of Dhaka University, diplomats, leaders of different political parties, among others, placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar. BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other central leaders of the party placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar on behalf of BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia. A group of Projonmo Chattar protesters, who have been tirelessly demanding capital punishment for all war criminals for the last 17 straight days, placed wreaths under a banner "Gono Jagaran Mancha" vowing to realise their demand. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels aired live midnight Ekushey ceremony while cultural personalities added extra flavour by reciting poems on immortal Ekushey February.