Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, commemorating the martyrdom of a young pro-democracy campaigner during the then anti-autocracy movement in the late 80s that led to restoration of democracy in 1990, was observed in a befitting manner across the country, according to a news agency.
On this day in 1987, Awami Juba League leader Noor Hossain -- who inscribed his chest and back of his bare body with the slogan, "Free Democracy; Down with autocracy" -- was killed in police firing at Zero Point during the mass upsurge against the then Ershad's autocratic regime. Several other demonstrators also received serious injuries in the attack on the day.
The martyrdom of Noor Hossain hastened the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad. He eventually stepped down on January 6 in 1990.
Different political parties, socio-cultural organizations and professional bodies chalked out elaborate programme including placing wreaths, at Noor Hossain Square, offering Fateha at Jurain graveyard, milad mahfil and memorial meetings or discussion to mark the day.
As part of day's programme, ruling Awami League (AL) paid respect to him by placing wreaths at the Noor Hossain memorial at the Zero Point, now renamed as Shaheed Noor Hossain Square in Gulisthan here as a mark of respect to the young protester, at 8 am.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint-General Secretaries - Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif and Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Organizing Secretaries - Ahmad Hossain, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and AKM Enamul Huq Shamim, Cultural Affairs Secretary Osim Kumar Ukil, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, members of central executive committee - SM Kamal Hossain and Advocate Riajul Kabir Kawsar, among others, were present there.
Noor Hossain's eldest brother Ali Hossain paid rich tribute to him by placing wreath at Noor Hossain Square at about 8:30 am and also offered doa-munajat at Jurain graveyard subsequently.
Besides, Noor Hossain Shangsad also placed wreath at the Noor Hossain Square at 8:30 am and also offered Fateha at his Jurain graveyard at 9:30 o'clock in the morning.
On the day, 'Shaheed Noor Hossain Foundation' placed wreath at Jurain graveyard of Noor Hossain at about 9 am and also offered milad and doa at Bangabandhu Avenue, seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Noor Hossain.
Besides, leaders of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Dhaka City unit of AL, Awami Juba League, Awami Swechchasebak League, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Dhaka City South and North units of BCL, Dhaka University unit of BCL, Jagannath University unit of BCL, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Juba Moitry, Chhatra Moitry, Biplobi Chhatra Sanghati, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Awami Motor Drivers' League, among others, paid their respect to Noor Hossain by placing wreaths at Noor Hossain Square on the day.