President and Prime Minister pay deep respect to martyred intellectuals

On the occasion of Martyr Intellectuals Day, the President paid tribute to Martyr Intellectuals by laying wreaths at the Martyr Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

At 7 am today, Wednesday, first the President and then the Prime Minister offered wreaths and paid deep respect to the martyred intellectuals. Then they stood there in silence for some time. At this time the bugle sounded a mournful tune.

Prime Minister's advisers, parliamentarians, chiefs of three armed forces, high-ranking government officials, senior leaders of Awami League and leaders and activists of the party's organization were present during the wreath-laying ceremony. At 7 o'clock, Sheikh Hasina paid her respects as Awami League president for the second time with the top leaders of the party. The Prime Minister then exchanged greetings with the children of the martyred freedom fighters and intellectuals. Later Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with party leaders paid tribute to the martyred intellectuals.

Earlier, at 6:55 PM, the Prime Minister came to the Shaheed Buddhijivi Memorial. When President Abdul Hamid reached the intellectual memorial at 6:57 PM, he was welcomed by the Prime Minister. After paying tribute, the Prime Minister bade farewell to the President at 7:50 PM.

After paying tributes by the President and Prime Minister, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Chief Justice Hasan Faiz Siddiqui paid tributes at the Martyr Intellectuals Memorial at 7:08.

After leaving the Prime Minister Shaheed Intellectuals Memorial area at around 7:30 PM, it was opened for all. At this time, people from various walks of life flocked to pay their respects to the memory of the martyred intellectuals.

On this day in 1971, the occupying Pakistani army and their henchmen killed the best intellectuals of Bengal. Just two days after the killing of the intellectuals, on December 16, the barbaric Pakistani forces led by General Niazi surrendered and Bangladesh emerged as an independent country.

Prof. Munir Chowdhury, Dr. are among the martyred intellectuals. Alim Chowdhury, Professor Muniruzzaman, Dr. Fazle Rabbi, Siraj Uddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Professor Govindachandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta, Professor Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, Professor Ghiyas Uddin Ahmed, Professor Anwar Pasha, Professor Rashidul Hasan, Dr. Abul Khair, Dr. Murtaza, journalist Khandaker Abu Taher, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Ghulam Mostafa, Syed Nazmul Haque, Selina Parveen and many others.

On the occasion of the day, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages. Newspapers published special articles and obituaries on Martyr Intellectuals Day. Discussions are being held in all districts and upazilas of the country. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels are airing special programs highlighting the significance of the day. Special prayers and hopes are offered in all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship on the occasion of the day.