The nation will recall the memory of Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin, one of the seven greatest heroes of the Liberation War, on his 51st death anniversary on Saturday.
On this day in 1971, just six days before the nation's final victory, Engine Room Artificer of Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Palash, Ruhul Amin embraced martyrdom at the bank of the Rupsha River where he had reached after swimming around a quarter kilometre of the river from the ship.
Earlier, BNS Palash captured Mongla port from the Pakistani occupation forces after a fierce gun battle. The naval ship was advancing towards Khulna to conquer the industrial city from the Pakistani Bahini.
As the ship reached near the Shipyard area, a fighter plane hurled bombed targeting the BNS Palash. Mohibullah, Bir Bikram, a staff of the ship, died on the spot and the rest naval staff jumped into the river.
Ruhul Amin managed to escape the bomb attack but he was killed by the Razakar Bahini who collaborated with the then Pakistani Army during the Liberation War of the country in 1971.
The next day, Ruhul Amin along with Mohibullah was buried at Bagmara village in the district.
Khulna Development Authority (KDA) built a memorial complex surrounding their graves in 1997.
Bangladesh Navy supervises the complex after being handed over by the KDA since its completion.
Bangladesh Navy in Khulna headquarters has chalked out different programmes to observe the 51st death anniversary of the two great heroes in a befitting manner.
The programmes include placing wreaths at their graves, discussion, doa mahfil and recitation from the Holy Quran.
