Tributes to Language Movement martyrs
Amar Ekushey observed in cities
INDEPENDENT DESK
The International Mother Language Day was observed in the cities as elsewhere in the district with due respect and solemnity.
In chittagong, Central Shaheed Minar turned into a human sea shortly after zero hours with the presence of thousands of people from different walks of life.
Leaders of different political parties, sociocultural and professional organisations and people from all walks of life from children to adults gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay respect to the martyred language heroes and placed wreaths one after another at the Shaheed Minar maintaining discipline with due honour at 12.01 on Saturday night.
Police and district administration sources said historic Ekushey programmes beginning from midnight including placing of wreaths bare foots by the people of all ages at the Shaheed Minar passed peacefully. To mark the day, different political, professional and sociocultural organisations held daylong programmes including discussion meeting, Milad Mahfil, Poetry recitation, arts competition for children, voluntary blood donation and cultural functions in the city. A smart contingent of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) led by Mohammad Kabir paid guard of honour at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past 12 midnight. Minister for Housing and Public Works Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, MP, was the first to place the wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
He was followed by the Chittagong City Mayor A Z M Nasir Uddin, on behalf of Chittagong City Corporation, former mayor and president of Chittagong city Awami League (AL) ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, on behalf of City AL,
Divisional Commissioner Ruhul Amin, DIG Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mezbah Uddin, Chairman of Chittagong Development Authority Abdus Salam,District Administrator MA Salam and Superintendent of Chittagong district police Hafiz Akter.
Besides, different political parties including AL Chittagong city, North and South AL district units, Chhatra League, Jubo League, BNP Chittagong city, Chittagong Press Club, Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) and Chittagong Photo Journalist Association, Muktijoddha Command Council, Chittagong city and district placed flower wreaths at the Shaheed Minar. In the morning students from different educational institutions and socio cultural organisations carrying different colourful banners, festoons and placards placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Different socio-cultural, political organisations, educational institutions, professional groups and district administrations chalked out various programmes in Rajshahi.
In Khulna: The days programme started with the placing floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar of city and upazila headquarters showing homage to the valiant language hero who paid their supreme sacrifice for the language movement of their loving mother tongue and her people.
Black and half mast national flags were hoisted top on every house, shops and markets, schools and colleges, including all the government and non-government buildings. Special prayer and munajat were offered at mosque, temples and churches for the departed soul, peace and prosperity of the nation.
