The ruling party on Thursday will celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the six-point movement to demand autonomy from Pakistan.
On June 7, 1966, the Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a day-long hartal to press home the party’s demand for an end to the exploitation and subjugation of the people of the erstwhile East Pakistan by the central government in Islamabad.
Responding to the Awami League's call, the people of the eastern province spontaneously joined the six-point movement and observed the dawn-to-dusk strike across the province.
In response, law enforcement agencies opened fire on demonstrators at various places in Dhaka and Narayanganj, killing at least 10 people including labour leaders Monu Miah, Shafique and Shamsul Huq.
These events intensified the movement for provincial autonomy, which eventually led to the mass uprising in 1969 and ultimately resulted in the Liberation War in 1971.
To mark the anniversary on Thursday, the Awami League, its associate bodies and several socio-cultural organizations have chalked out elaborate programs.
The central leaders of the party, led by party president and the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, will place floral wreaths at the monument of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka around 9:30am.
The Awami League and its affiliated organizations will hoist party and national flags atop the party offices across the country.
