DHAKA: The nation mourned the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Sunday, amid louder calls for executing the court verdict on his fugitive killers and realizing the leader’s dream of a prosperous and progressive Bangladesh.

With the government leaders reaffirming their vow to execute the apex-court verdict on the rest of the assassins on the run abroad, the National Mourning Day was observed on the 35th anniversary of Bangabandhu’s demise.

The day was a public holiday.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated at his house at Dhanmondi in a military putsch on August 15, 1975, along with most members of his family.

The predawn attacks left a total of 24 people dead. Bangabandhu`s two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- could escape the bloodbath as they were abroad at the time.

The victims also include Bangabandhu`s wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and nine-year-old Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Parveen Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and his wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, 13-year-old Baby Serniabat, Serniabat`s son Arif and four-year-old grandson Babu, three guests, Bangabandhu`s four domestic helps, and his security chief Col Jamil Uddin Ahmed.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman united the Bengalis to get rid of Pakistani oppression and steered them towards independence. His rousing speech on March 7, 1971 before a crowd of lakhs helped the then East Pakistan ready to sacrifice everything for freedom.

Hundreds of people from different walks of life, including leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations, paid homage to the leader. They placed wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi and at the graves of her family members and other martyrs at Banani graveyard in the morning.

Earlier in the morning, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu placing wreaths at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

They stood in solemn silence as the army bugle played the last post. Cabinet members, chiefs of the three services and senior civil and military officials were also present.

Fateha and special munajat were offered seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his dear ones lost this day in 1975 in one of the bloodiest coups in the world.

Hasina also placed a separate wreath at Mujib’s portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum as the Awami League chief, along with the party leaders.

The prime minister spent some time at her father’s Dhanmondi house where Bangabandhu along with most of his family members was killed.

The Prime Minister also placed wreaths at the graves of her family members and other martyrs at Banani Graveyard at 7:30am.

Later, Sheikh Hasina, one of the two surviving daughters of Bangabandhu, visited Tungipara and offered prayers at his gravesite with the members of the party working committee, advisory council and the cabinet colleagues.

Meanwhile, the ruling party has been carrying out its month-long programmes from August 1 to mark the day.

President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in their messages expressed their resolve that the court verdict would be fully executed by bringing back the fugitives from abroad.

The president said, “Now we should bring the death-sentenced fugitives back to the country in order to execute the verdict.”
    
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, also said, “We have freed the nation from the stigma to some extent through executing the verdict of the Bangabandhu-killing case. Steps have been taken to bring back the remaining convicts.”

The national and the party flags were lowered half-mast and black flags hoisted at Awami League offices across the country in the morning.
   
Special prayers were held in all mosques, temples, churches and other religious institutions for salvation of the departed souls of Mujib and his family members.

Destitute-feeding programmes were taken up in observance of the day across the country.
   
The Awami League will hold a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre on August 16. Party chief Sheikh Hasina is expected to be present at the programme.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni at a mourning programme Sunday said the government has sent letters to different foreign governments asking their support for return of the “condemned killers” of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  

Five of the condemned Bangabandhu killers-- Lt Col Syed Farooq-ur Rahman, Lt Col Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Lt Col Muhiuddin Ahmed, Maj AKM Mahiuddin Ahmed, and Maj Bazlul Huda--were executed on January 28 this year following the apex-court verdict affirming the death sentence against the former army officers. Another condemned convict, Aziz Pasha, died earlier.

The six fugitives from the death sentence are Shariful Haque Dalim, AKM Mahiuddin, Rashed Chowdhury, Nur Chowdhury, Abdul Mazed and Moslemuddin.

BDST: 1912 HRS, AUG 15, 2010