The nation is set to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Tuesday (December 14) to commemorate the intellectuals killed systematically by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 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 erected in memory of the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur in the capital has been readied as national leaders and people from all walks of life will pay glowing tributes by placing wreaths there.

The national programmes have been chalked out to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day with due respect.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages on the occasion.

As per programmes, wreaths will be placed at 7.05 am at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial and several television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels will air it from the spot.

Led by the Liberation War Affairs Minister, members of the martyrs' families and the valiant freedom fighters will place wreaths at the Intellectuals Memorial at 7.22 am and Rayer Bazar Boddho Bhumi at 8:30am.

From 8.30 am on the day, people from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the Intellectual Memorial maintaining proper health rules.

Different television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will hold special discussions on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day highlighting the significance of the day.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has requested the public not to use mike or loudspeaker in the area of the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial to maintain the sanctity of the Martyred Intellectuals Day.

Marking the day, ruling Awami League and other political parties have chalked out various programmes.

As part of the party programme, Awami League will hoist black flag at the party's Bangabandhu avenue central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi and other offices of the party across the country in the morning and keep the national and party flags at half mast.

It will place wreaths at Intellectual Memorial in Mirpur at 8am.

Leaders and workers of Awami League will place wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 8.30am and at Rayer Bazar Boddho Bhumi at 9am.

BDST: 1432 HRS, DEC 13, 2021
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