Genocide Day observed across the country

People across the country observed the Genocide Day on Saturday in remembrance of the brutality carried out by Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bangalees on the black night of 25 March 1971 under the infamous ‘Operation Searchlight’.

Our Khulna correspondent said the district administration and other socio-cultural organizations including Khulna city and district unit Awami League (AL) chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Khulna district administration organized a discussion meeting at the auditorium of the Khulna deputy commissioner’s office with Khulna DC Khondokar Yasir Arefin in the chair.

Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque, addressed the discussion as chief guest while Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan, Additional DIG of Khulna Range Police Md Atiqur Rahman Mia, Superintendent of Police Md Mahbub Hasan, ex-Commander of City Unit Muktijoddha Command Council Professor Md Alamgir Kabir, and ex-Commander of District Unit Muktijoddha Command Council Md Mahbubur Rahman, addressed, as special guests.

The speakers said the genocide carried out by Pakistani occupational forces on March 25 is a black chapter in the history of the Bangalee nation.

In Rajshahi, To mark the day, local district administration chalked out elaborate programmes, including placing of wreaths at Shaheed Minar and other shaheed memorial plaques and discussion meetings.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy and District Shilpakala Academy organized various competitions of essay and painting, patriotic song and recitation on genocide and the great Liberation War followed by cultural functions.

Rajshahi Government Women’s College observed the day through placing wreaths at its Shaheed Minar paying rich tribute to the martyrs. Valiant Freedom Fighter Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Principal of the college Prof Zubaida Ayesha Siddiqua and vice Principal Prof Naznin Sultana addressed a meeting on the occasion.

They stressed the need for creating consensus among the people at home and abroad to earn international recognition of the Genocide Day being observed today in the country.

Like the Liberation War, the incident of genocide is marked permanently in the history of Bangladesh and the young generation needs to work for a due recognition of the day, they added.

Bagha Upazila Parishad also arranged a discussion at its conference hall to mark the day. Upazila Chairman Advocate Layeb Uddin and Bagha Pourasava Mayor Akkash Ali spoke on the occasion.

In Manikganj, On the occasion, a discussion was held at Zilla Shilpakala Academy under the auspices of Manikganj district administration. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif was present at the function as chief guest.