Dhaka, Dec 14 (Just News) : The nation is observing the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Friday to commemorate the intellectuals who were killed systematically by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the country's liberation war in 1971.
On this day in 1971, country's renowned academicians, physicians, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and slaughtered.
Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital.
Sensing an imminent defeat, the Pakistani forces and local collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar forces committed the cold-blooded mass murders aiming to annihilate the country's intelligentsia and cripple the emerging Bangladesh intellectually.
Among the martyred intellectuals are professor Munier Chowdhury, Alim Chowdhury, professor Muniruzzaman, Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, professor GC Dev, JC GuhaThakurta, professor Santosh Bhattacharya, professor Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.
The government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the 14 December tragedy.
Family members of the martyred and freedom fighters placed wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.
People from all walks of life were seen paying tributes by placing wreaths at the memorial in Mirpur and Rayerbazar Badhya Bhumi [Killing Ground] at Mohammadpur from 8:30am.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations have organised various programmes including seminars and discussions on the occasion.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television and radio channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
(JustNews/mj/1120hr.)
