DHAKA: The High Court prohibited holding all kinds of programmes on the main altar of Shaheed Minar excepting February functions on the historic Language Movement.

Besides, the court gave directives for posting three security personnel at the Central Shaheed Minar for round-the-clock watch and setting up libraries on the premises of all Shaheed Minars across the country.

In its comprehensive rulings the High Court also asked the government to honour the language veterans with state award and publish their list by January 31 next.

An HC bench of Justice Md. Momtajuddin Ahmed and Justice Naima Haider passed the order of ban following a writ petition filed for court’s direction in protecting the sanctity of the memorial to the language martyrs.

Earlier on February 9, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed the petition. In response, the High Court on the same day issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why the sanctity of Shaheed Minar ‘should not to be protected’.

During the hearing on the rule Wednesday, the court banned holding rallies, cultural activities, meetings and seminars on the main altar of the memorial that speaks a volume about the nation’s heroics.

Convener of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh Advocate Monjil Morshed stood for the petitioner.

BDST 1724 HRS AUG 25, 2010