The Martyred Intellectuals Day is being observed today (December 14) commemorating the intellectuals killed systematically by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971.
Though the Pakistani army and their Bengali-speaking collaborators killed a number of intelligentsia throughout the nine-month long Liberation War, Al-Badr and Al-Shams forces led a systematic killing just two days ahead of the final victory.
The nation, however, came to know about the loss only after surrender by the Pakistani troops on December 16, 1971.
Those who were killed on December 14, 1971 included Dr Alim Chowdhury and Dr Fazle Rabbi, journalists Shahidullah Kaisar, Sirajudddin Hossain, Nizamuddin Ahmed, S A Mannan and Selina Parveen and litterateur Munir Chowdhury.
Most of the December 14 victims were picked up from their houses blindfolded and killed between December 10 and 14 in 1971.
Their bodies were later found at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital.
The day is being observed on a limited scale due to the Covid-19 situation.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the nation’s glorious sons, placing floral wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial at Mirpur in the city Sunday morning.
On behalf of the president, his Military Secretary Major General S M Salah Uddin Islam placed a wreath at the monument on Tuesday morning to pay tribute to those who lost lives just days before Bangladesh's victory in the War of Liberation in 1971.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the prime minister, her Military Secretary Major General Naqib Ahmed Chowdhury placed a wreath at the memorial to pay homage to the great heroes of the country.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque paid his tribute to the martyred intellectuals by placing floral wreath at 7:45am.
Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh also paid tributes to the martyred intellectuals by placing wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.
People from all walks of life and all professions placed floral wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur here this morning.
On the occasion, the national flag has been hoisted at half-mast along with black flags today across the country.
The national programmes have been chalked out to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day with due respect.
Marking the day, ruling Awami League and other political parties have chalked out various programmes.
Different television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are holding special discussions on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day highlighting the significance of the day.
