Nation set to observe first ever ‘Genocide Day’

The nation is set to observe the ‘Genocide Day’ tomorrow for the first time in remembrance of the brutality carried out by Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bengalis on the black night of March 25 in 1971.

“Simultaneously, Bangladesh will submit an application to the United Nations by this month seeking its recognition of the Genocide Day on March 25,” Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq told a press conference on Thursday.

On March 11, the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) unanimously adopted a resolution to observe March 25 as the “Gonohotya Dibos” (Day of Genocide. Subsequently the cabinet division in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, unanimously endorsed the decision on March 20.

Later, a gazette notification was also published in this regard on March 21.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued messages on the eve of the “Genocide Day”.

In his message, the President said the genocide carried out by Pakistani occupational forces on March 25 is a brutal and grievous incident in the history of Bengali nation.

“The decision of observing the day as ‘Genocide Day’ is a milestone in the history of the country and nation,” he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the Pakistani occupational forces swooped on unarmed Bangalees on the night of March 25 and they along with their local collaborators including Rajakar, Al Badr and Al Shams carried out atrocities. The atrocities that started on the black night on March 25 continued for nine months, she said. She said as many as 30 lakh people were killed and two lakh women were raped.

Bangladesh government has drawn various programmes to mark the day with due respect.

As part of the programmes, a two-day photography exhibition will be held near the Independence Monument at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan reminding the atrocities committed on March 25, 1971.

Besides, a discussion meeting and cultural function will also be held there while almost cultural and discussion programmes will be held at district and upazila levels across the country on the occasion.

Awami League will observe the day at the cities, districts, thanas, pourashavas and unions throughout the country in a befitting manner.

International War Crimes Mass Trial Movement and Sramik-Karmachari-Peshajibi-Muktijoddha Samanway Parishad will jointly stage different programmes including photo-exhibition, lighting of candles, cultural function and screening of films tomorrow from 3pm in front of National Museum at Shahbagh.

Dhaka City Awami League South and North will organize two separate rallies at Lalbagh Azad playground and Mirpur Bangla College playground respectively at 3pm simultaneously.

The 14-party alliance will stage a rally at Mirpur Killing Ground here tomorrow and also organize another at Chuknagar in Jessore on March 30.

Workers Party will organize discussion at 3pm at its office and also screen a documentary on liberation war.

 Source: BSS