People of all walks of life here yesterday observed “Amar Ekushey” and International Mother Language Day in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur and Barisal cities with due solemnity and peacefully.
Government, socio-cultural, political, professional bodies and educational institutions arranged different programmes marking the day. The programmes include placing wreaths at Shaheed Minars, hoisting national flags at half-mast atop all public and private buildings and probhat ferries, discussions, cultural and literary functions.
In Khulna, city and district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad paid rich tribute to the Language Movement Martyrs at one minute past last midnight at Shaheed Minar in City’s Shaheed Hadis Park.
Later, lawmakers Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mostafa Rashidi Suja and Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdus Samad, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nibash Chandra Mazhi, DIG of Khulna Range Police S M Monir-uz-Zaman and Chairman of Khulna District Council Sheikh Harun-ur-Rashid placed floral wreaths there.
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its front organiSations, other political parties, social, cultural and professional organidations and common people also placed wreaths to pay homage to the Language Movement horoes. BSS adds from Rajshahi:  Since early in the morning, streams of people irrespective of age and sex were seen walking barefoot singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari” towards the nearby Shaheed Minars. BSS adds from Rangpur: Thousands of people observed the day with a fresh call for respecting languages of all nations, tribal people and ethnic groups and renewed vows for building a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh free from militancy and terrorism. The observance began at one minute past after midnight through placing wreaths by Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, also a special envoy of the prime minister and a former president of the country, at Central Shaheed Minar in the city.
Later, mayor of Rangpur Alhaj Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu, Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hasan Ahmed and deputy inspector general of police Rangpurrange Khondker Golam Faruk placed wreaths there. Staff Reporter adds from Barisal: Thousands of barefooted people paid tribute to the martyrs of the language movement of 1952 by placing floral wreaths.