The 'Genocide Day' was observed yesterday in a sombre mood, commemorating the brutalities and cowardly attacks carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on the unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971. A one-minute 'blackout' programme was observed from 9pm last night on the occasion for the third successive year marking the 'Genocide Day'.

Lights were switched off for one minute. However, establishments of emergency services remained out of the purview of the programme.

On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970.

In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.

They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to houses and property, and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction. The day was observed officially for the third time in the country as Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017 to observe March 25 as the Genocide Day.

Different political parties, government and non-government bodies and socio-cultural organisations observed the day with elaborate programmes.