DHAKA: The nation is observing Martyred Intellectuals` Day on Saturday, paying tribute to the memory of the martyred intellectuals who were brutally killed just days before achieving victory in 1971.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to martyrs intellectuals by placing floral wreaths to Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial at 7:00am.

The motorcade of the premier reached at intellectuals’ graveyard at 6:40am while the President arrived there after five minutes.

Later, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, accompanied by its standing committee members, paid homage to the memory of martyred intellectuals by placing wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial at Mirpur in the city marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day at around 8:00am.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr. Moin Khan, opposition Chief Whip Joynul Abdin Faruq were present, among others.

Later, people from all walks of life started paying their tributes to the memory of martyrs.

The day is being observed this year amid cheers following execution of first war crimes convict Quader Mollah and execution other convicted war criminals who annihilated the country`s top intellectuals and professionals on this day at the fag end of the liberation war.

The martyred intellectuals include Munir Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Gobinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta, Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.

After the hard-earned Independence, nation`s mourning on this day every year spirits up the young generation to sacrifice for the country.

Sensing their unavoidable defeat in the hands of the Bengalese, Pakistan soldiers and their local collaborators-Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams-abducted leading Bengali intellectuals and professionals and killed them to halt the movement of the nation.

Academics, writers, physicians, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities were among the killed at Rayer Bazar and in other killing fields in the city only two days before the country’s liberation.

On the eve of Martyred Intellectuals Day, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Oppositions Begum Khaleda Zia issued messages paying their tributes to the martyred intellectuals and recalling their contribution towards the country.

Newspapers and news portals published special supplements while radio and television channels are airing special programmes to commemorate the martyrs.

The day’s programmes began with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and black flags atop public and private buildings in the morning.

Alongside the official programmes, different political and socio- cultural organizations are observing the day in a befitting manner. The programmes include placing wreaths at the Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals` Graveyard and Martyred Intellectuals` Memorial at Mirpur, discussion meetings, human chain and different cultural programmes.

First Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tajuddin Ahmed declared December 14 as the Martyred Intellectuals` Day.

BDST: 1210 HRS, DEC 14, 2013
Edited by: Rubaiat Saky, Senior Newsroom [email protected]