Martyred intellectuals’ day had a different dimension this year on Saturday after Bangladesh hung the first of its war criminals of 1971.
On this day during 1971, the Pakistani army with help of local collaborators murdered intellectuals of this country two days ahead of a humiliating defeat.
However this year, the country was hopeful of justice for those atrocities after the execution of one such collaborator, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla – the “Butcher of Mirpur.”
The day’s programme began with the president and prime minister placing wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial in Rayerbazar at capital.
Later, people from all walks of life paid their pride-filled respects to the memorial at Rayerbazar in the morning.
On the eve of the Day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their tributes in separate messages for the occasion.
President Hamid said intellectuals played a significant role and worked as the conscience of the nation in advancing the Liberation War to its successful end.
Prime Minister Hasina termed the day a painful event in history of the struggle for liberation of the Bangali nation. She renewed her resolve to execute the verdicts of the convicted war criminals.