Historic 6-point day being observed

The historic six-point day today (Saturday). The day is being observed in the country in a befitting manner. Different political parties, including Awami League, and socio-cultural organisations have taken various programmes to mark the day, commemorating the placing of the demand for autonomy for the former East Pakistan. On this day in 1966, Awami League under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a daylong hartal throughout East Pakistan pressing the demand for autonomy to end 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 that left at least 10 killed, which intensified the movement for the provincial autonomy. The day began with hoisting of national flags and flags of Awami League and other political parties atop party offices across the country and at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city’s Dhanmondi at dawn. Ministers, leaders of Awami League, its front and associate bodies and different socio-cultural organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi at 7:00am. Discussion meeting will be held at the offices of AL and organisations affiliated to it. A discussion has also been arranged at the Institute of Engineers auditorium at 3:00pm, according to a news agency.