Question in the air as nation mourns martyred intellectuals
With the call to speed up the war crimes trial, the nation yesterday mourned for intellectuals and professionals massacred by the Pakistan army and their local collaborators on the eve of the country’s independence.
Thousands of people, including teachers, students, freedom fighters, political activists, professionals and family members of the martyred intellectuals, visited the Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial at Mirpur and Rayerbazar Mausoleum in the morning and placed wreaths.
Many carried national flags and wore black ribbons. Organisations carried banners with slogans demanding a speedy war crimes trial.
On December 14, 1971, the Pakistani occupational force and their local collaborators — Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams — abducted and killed frontline intellectuals and professionals to cripple the emerging nation intellectually.
The killers dragged renowned academics, teachers, writers, doctors, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities out of their homes blindfolded, taking them to the killing grounds at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and other places in the capital.
After the butchery, the bodies were left to rot.
The day is observed as Martyred Intellectuals’ Day.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Mausoleum at Mirpur in the morning.
They stood in solemn silence for a minute while bugle played the last post. Cabinet members, lawmakers and heads of the three services were also present on the occasion.
Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition in parliament and BNP chairperson, accompanied by her party colleagues, also paid tribute to the martyrs.
Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations observed the day through various programmes, including seminars, discussion and silent processions. Black flags and national flags at half-mast flew across the country.
