Nation pays deep homage to martyred intellectuals

The nation today (Monday) paid deep homage to the martyred intellectuals in observance of the Martyred Intellectuals Day with a solace that the perpetrators who committed crimes against humanity during the turbulent days of the Liberation War are put on trial.

Since early morning, hundreds of people from all walks of life converged at the areas surrounding Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard and the Royer Bazar Martyrs Memorial (killing ground) to pay their homage to the worthy sons of the soil who were massacred by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators at the dawn of the country`s independence on December 14.

The mourners at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard and that of the Royerbazar Martyrs Memorial raised various demands including severing of diplomatic relations with Pakistan for taking side of the war criminals of the war of liberation of 1971, imposition of a ban on the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami and expediting the trial of the war criminals.

The programmes of the day included raising of black flags and hoisting of the national flag at half mast, placing of wreaths at the martyred intellectuals memorials and graveyards, discussions, lighting of candles in memory of the martyrs, morning marches, painting, general knowledge hand writing competitions and milad and doa mahfils seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

At about 8-05 in the morning, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.

Later, Sheikh Hasina as the president of the ruling Awami League (AL) along with party stalwarts placed another wreath at the memorial. AL Advisory Council member Suranjit Sengupta, presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury and Obaidul Quader, joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, organising secretaries Ahmed Hossain and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, AL Central Working Committee member Sujit Roy Nandi and Aslamul Haque Aslam, MP, were present, among others.

After the Prime Minister`s departure from Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial area, people from all walks of life, central leaders of the 14-party alliance, other social-cultural-professional bodies and war wounded freedom fighters and members of the martyred families placed wreaths at the memorial in a large queue.

Later, Jatiya Party led by its chairman HM Ershad, BNP led by its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Workers Party led by its president Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal led by its president Hasanul Haque Inu, Gono Forum led by its president Dr Kamal Hossain, Samybadi Dal led by its general secretary Dilip Barua, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal led by its general secretary Khalequzzaman and other political parties placed wreaths at the memorial in observance of the day.

Leaders of Dhaka City AL, Awami Juba League, Awami Swechchasebak League, Krishak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Mahila AL, Chhatra League, Juba Mahila League, Tanti League, Mukitijoddha Sangsad, Dhaka University, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Shishu Academy, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Gabeshana Parishad, National Museum, Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Biplobi Workers Party, National Awami Party, Chhatra Union, Dhaka Reporters Unity and other universities, educational institutions and socio-cultural-professional bodies placed wreaths paying homage to the martyred intellectuals.

Hundreds of people from all strata, political parties and socio-cultural-professional bodies also placed wreaths at the Royer Bazar Martyred Memorial paying homage to the martyred intellectuals. At the memorial site, the Central Khelaghar Asar created a human sculpture resembling the killing ground of Royer Bazar as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

In the afternoon, the ruling Awami League organised a discussion at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers with its president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Islamic Foundation organised Quran Khwani, milad and doa mahfil at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque where special prayers (munajat) and doa were offered for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs.

Marking the day, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) organized a discussion at the National Press Club. Acting president of DUJ Atiqur Rahman chaired the discussion, attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain as the chief guest while Prime Minister`s media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, president of the National Press Club Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman and DUJ general secretary Kuddus Afrad were the discussants, among others.

Besides, the other faction of DUJ also held a discussion at the National Press Club with its president Elahi Newaj Khan in the chair. General secretary of the National Press Club Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, senior journalist Golam Mohiuddin, DUJ general secretary Khairul Alam Bakul, vice-president of National Press Club Amirul Islam Kagoji and BFUJ executive committee member Syed Mejbah Uddin were the discussants, among others.