The teachers, students, officials and employees of Khulna University (KU) on Monday observed the 'Katka Tragedy Day.'
The KU authorities every year observe March 13 as a mourning day and pay homage to 11 students who drowned in the sea near the Katka area of the Sundarbans in 2004.
Programmes of the day were including wearing of black badges at 9am, a mourning procession around the campus from university Shaheed Minar at 9:15am, laying of wreaths at Katka Memorial on the campus, milad mehfil after Zohar prayers at the university mosque, feeding of the destitute at 2:00 pm, condolence meeting at 6:30 pm, candle lighting at 7:00 pm and screening of a documentary film show at 7:30 pm.
KU teachers association, officers’ welfare association, Architecture Discipline and other organizations have also paid homage at the Katka memorial.
Pro-vice Chancellor of Khulna University Professor Dr Hosneara led the mourning procession. Treasurer, Deans and Heads of various Disciplines attended the event.
Later, a discussion was held at the Katka Memorial with the head of the architecture discipline Professor Dr Sirajul Islam in the chair. Pro-VC Dr Hosne Ara, and Treasurer Dr Amit Roy Chowdhury, among others, addressed.
On March 13, 2004, nine final year students of the Architecture department of Khulna University and two students of the Mechanical department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), were swept away by a powerful current while bathing in the sea near Katka of the Sundarbans.
The 11 students went to the Sundarbans for sightseeing and to join a picnic. The victims are Arnaj Rifat Rupa, Kauser Ahmed Khan, Ashrafuzzaman Toha, Kazi Abdul Muyeed bin Walid, Munadil Raihan bin Mahbub, Abdullah-hel-Baki, Maksumul Aziz Mostaji Nipun, Touhidul Enam Opu, Mahmudur Rahman Russel of Khulna University while Samiul Hasan Khan and Shamsul Arefin Shakil of the BUET.
