The nation observed Martyred Intellectuals’ Day on Monday (December 14) commemorating the systematic killing of the acclaimed academics and professionals like physicians, engineers and journalists on December 14, 1971.
Though the Pakistani army and their Bengali-speaking collaborators killed a number of intelligentsia throughout the nine-month long Liberation War, Al-Badr and Al-Shams forces led a systematic killing just two days ahead of the final victory.
The nation, however, came to know about the loss only after surrender by the Pakistani troops on December 16, 1971.
Those who were killed on December 14, 1971 included Dr Alim Chowdhury and Dr Fazle Rabbi, journalists Shahidullah Kaisar, Sirajudddin Hossain, Nizamuddin Ahmed, S A Mannan and Selina Parveen and litterateur Munir Chowdhury.
Most of the December 14 victims were picked up from their houses blindfolded and killed between December 10 and 14 in 1971.
Their bodies were later found at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital.
A memorial has been erected at Mirpur in Dhaka in memory of the martyred intellectuals.
Paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals, wreaths were placed on behalf of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Martyred Intellectuals' Mausoleum at Mirpur this morning.
Earlier, President and Prime Minister issued separate messages in this regard.
President Abdul Hamid in his message said the intellectuals, as the conscience of the nation, had played a very significant role with their sharp writings and intellect-based spirit to create public opinion in favour of the Liberation War, provide suggestions to the war-time Mujibnagar government in advancing the war towards its successful end.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said at the fag end of the Liberation War, the Pakistani occupation forces, anti-liberation forces and their local collaborators hatched conspiracies to turn the nation into a brain-empty state.
The prime minister called upon the people to get united against the conspiracies of the killers of 1971 and war criminals and Jamaat-clique.
Besides, the family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters placed wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial and Rayerbazar Killing Ground at Mohammadpur.
Later, people from all walks of life placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.
Discussions were held at the district and upazila levels across the country on the occasion. To mark the day, the national flag is flying at half-mast atop all government offices and educational institutions.
The government, political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken up elaborate programmes to observe the day. Besides, the ruling Awami League, other political parties and different socio-cultural organisations will hold various programmes to mark the day.
The party placed wreaths at Mirpur Intellectual Graveyard, Bangabandhu Bhaban and Rayer Bzar Graveyard in the morning. The Dhaka University authorities observed the day through a series of programmes.
Different political, professional ans socio-cultural organisations, including Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Ekattarer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Sector Commanders’ Forum and Liberation War Museum, also have taken up programmes to observe the day.
BDST: 1207 HRS, DEC 14, 2020
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