The National Mourning Day, and the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was observed across the country on Thursday with due respect and solemnity.
In Rajshahi, the day was observed with a fresh vow to materialize the dreams of Bangabandhu to build a ‘Sonar Bangla,’ and to bring back the fugitive convicted killers of Bangabandhu to execute the verdict in the murder case.
City unit of Bangladesh Awami League, and its front organizations garlanded the portrait of Bangabandhu paying rich tribute to him at the city unit office.
Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Vice-president Shahin Akter Rainy, and a good number of leaders, and workers were present on the occasion.
Afterwards, they took out a large mourning procession, and paraded the main city streets.
General Secretary of the Workers Party of Bangladesh Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait at his party office premises in the city.
At 8:30 am, district judgeship, bar association, and public prosecutors jointly took out a mourning procession, and paraded the district judge court premises followed by a brief discussion. At 9:30 am, district administration brought out a mourning procession from the premises of Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Central Zoo and Park. The rally ended at Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Zila Parishad Auditorium where a discussion, and Doa Mahfil was held.
In Rangpur, the district administration, Awami League, its associate bodies, educational institutions, government departments, socio-cultural, and professional organisations observed the day, paying rich tribute to Bangabandhu.
The programs included hoisting of the national flag at half-mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous, private buildings, and educational institutions soon after sunrise.
Later, high officials of the divisional, district, and police administrations, politicians, different organizations, and departments, and the common people placed wreaths at the Mural of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Square wearing black badges.
A one-minute silence was observed in front of the Mural of Bangabandhu, and special munajats were offered there seeking divine blessings for the departed souls of Bangabandhu, and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
The district administration brought out a huge mourning procession, participated by hundreds of common people, including Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, high officials, and local politicians.
The District Information Office screened documentary films on Bangabandhu, his lifelong struggles, and sacrifice for Independence, and War of Liberation at cinema halls, and open places across the district.
Rangpur Kendra of Bangladesh Betar aired special programmes since morning, while local newspapers published special supplements on Bangabandhu.
In Khulna, Khulna city and district units of Bangladesh Awami League, and its front organizations, and different other political parties also observed various programs marking the day.
The day began with the hoisting of national flag at half mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings.
A mourning procession was brought out in the city that began from KDA New Market premises, and ended at the sculpture of Bangabandhu at Khulna Betar premises this morning.
KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, freedom fighters, high government officials, and leaders of civil society, among others, also attended the mourning rally. Later, they placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Distribution of food among the destitute, and screening of film shows on the life and works of Bangabandhu, and special milad mehfils, and prayers at all religious institutions were also held.
In Barisal, the programs of the day included discussion on the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, condolence rally, Quran Khawani, Milad and Doa, feeding the poor, cultural function, poetry recitation, painting competition for the juvenile and children, and placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib, Abdur Rob Serniabat, and other victims of August 15.
The participants of the programs demanded implementation of punishments given to the killers, who are still at large, and also punishment of the conspirators who acted behind the killing.
Different socio-political organizations, and officials including Abul Hasnat Abdullah, lawmaker and district Awami League president, BCC Mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah, officials of district and divisional administration, and law enforcing agencies placed floral wrath at the portraits of Bangabandhu, Shaheed Abdur Rob Serniabat, and other victims of August 15 at the Bangabandhu Udyan, Awami League office, and Barisal Aswani Kumar Hall.
In Nilphamari, at least 22 people including five police personnel were injured in a clash while a discussion was going on in the morning on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Jaldhaka upazila of the district.
According to locals and police sources, a group of Awami League activists led by former MP Golam Mostofa, and another group of Awami League activists led by the upazila unit Awami League President locked in a clash leaving 22 people, including five police personnel, injured.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ruhul Amin confirmed the news.
According to reports of our district correspondents, the day was observed in every district of the country including Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Jhalakathi, Chittagong, Gopalgaanj, Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Jessore, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, and Gazipur.
