Bangladesh is observing ‘Genocide Day’ today, marking the commencement of the Pakistan army's brutal, cowardly and indeed genocidal Operation Searchlight in 1971, as a last resort to try and suppress the will of the people of what would become, in less than nine months, the newly independent state of Bangladesh.
Organisers have called for a nationwide minute's silence, to pay respect to those who paid the supreme penalty will be observed in the across the country today commemorating the brutalities and cowardly attacks carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on the unarmed civilian population on the black night of March 25 in 1971.
On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970.
In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.
They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to the houses and properties, and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction.
The day is being observed officially for the fifth time in the country as Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017 to observe March 25 as the Genocide Day.
This year, however, there will be no outdoor programme in observing the day due to the emerging situation of the coronavrius outbreak's second wave.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid issued separate massages marking the day.
In her massage, the Prime Minister said “On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Day of Genocide, we pledge to uphold the freedom that we have earned in exchange for the three million martyrs and the respect of two hundred thousand tortured mothers and sisters, if necessary, in exchange for our supreme sacrifices.”
“Resisting all immediate conspiracies and be inspired by the spirit of the Great Liberation War, we shall play a concerted role in the realization of the dream of the Father of the Nation for building a non-communal, hunger-free and prosperous Bangladesh, InshAllah,”she said.
“I wish all-out success to the programs taken on the occasion of 'Genocide Day',” PM said.
Besides, President Abdul Hamid said “On the eve of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, I call upon all, irrespective of party affiliation, to contribute from their respective positions in the implementation of these programs.”
“We can pay our eternal respect to every soul who gave his life in 1971 genocide, by turning the country into the ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” he said.
