Nur Hossain Day today

Shaheed Nur Hossain Day will be observed today (Sunday) with due solemnity, reports BSS.

On this day in 1987, Awami Juba League (AJL) leader Nur Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with the slogans "Free democracy" and "Down with autocracy", embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration at city's Zero Point, now known as Shaheed Nur Hossain Square.

AJL leader Nurul Huda Babul and farmers' leader Aminul Huda Tito of Bajitpur in Kishoreganj district were also killed in police firing during the mass movement for restoration of democracy against autocratic rule.

The martyrdom of Nur Hossain and others during the mass upsurge of late 90s expedited the anti-autocracy movement. In the face of the movement, the then autocratic ruler HM Ershad had to step down on December 6 in 1990. Since then, the day is being observed every year as the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.

Different socio-cultural and professional organisations as well as ruling Awami League have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

Awami League's programmes to mark the day included placing of wreaths at Shaheed Nur Hossain Square at 8 am and offering of special prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of the slain AJL leader.