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Martyred Intellectuals Day today

Staff Correspondent
The nation pays tribute to the martyred intellectuals today amid increasing demand for trial of war criminals who systematically killed prominent Bangladeshi intellectuals and professionals at the fag end of the Liberation War on this day in 1971.
On this day in 1971 renowned academics, doctors, engineers, journalists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged blind-folded out of their homes in the capital and killed in cold blood to intellectually cripple the newly-born
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nation. Their bodies were dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and a few other places in the city.
Sensing the imminent defeat, the Pakistani occupying army and their local collaborators formed Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams and abducted the sons of the soil and killed them only two days before the nation's victory in the nine-month-long Liberation War.
The martyred intellectuals include Prof Muneir Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.
Thirty-seven years have passed with the families of the martyred intellectuals still waiting to sec the perpetrators being punished.
The national flag will be hoisted at half-mast along with black flags today. The president, the chief adviser and leaders of different politi-
cal parties will place floral wreaths at Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals' graveyard in the morning.
President lajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and chiefs of the two major political parties issued separate messages on the eve of the Martyred Intellectuals Day.
President lajuddin said the intellectuals continue to be the conscience of the nation as they were priceless assets of the country.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said, "I hope we will not be derailed in implementing the anticipations of the martyred intellectuals to rebuild a liberal, democratic and justice-based society."
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in a statement expressed her gratitude towards all the sons of the country who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in her statement urged all to work together to protect the country's hard-earned independence and sovereignty and preserve its cultural heritage and fulfil the dream of the martyrs.
To mark the day, different socio-cultural and political
organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including seminars, discussions and wreath laying at Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals' graveyard and Intellectuals' Memorial at Rayerbazar.
Sector Commanders Forum will stand in silence for two minutes in front of the Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum at Rayerbazar to pay tribute to them.
The forum also urged all to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country by standing in silence in front of martyrs' graveyards and killing fields and at places like offices, shops, shopping malls and educational institutions for two minutes at 4:00pm today.
Dhaka University has also prepared programmes to pay respect to the martyred intellectuals, many of whom belonged to the university. Black flags will be hoisted at all dormitories, at the vice-chancellor's residence and buildings of the university at 6:30am.
Teachers, students and officials of the university will gather at Aparajcyo Bangla at 7:00am and place floral wreaths at the graves of martyred intellectuals by the university mosque and at
Jagannath Hall. They are also scheduled to pay tribute at the Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals' graveyard.
There will be a discussion atTSC auditorium at 10:30am with Vice -chancellor Prof SMA Faiz presiding. University Central Mosque and other mosques on campus will hold special prayers after Zohr.
Banglar Sangskritik Andolan, Dhaka Union of Journalists, United Citizen Movement, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Liberation War Museum, National Front of Teachers and Employees. Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Moitree Parishad. Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote will place floral wreaths at the Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals graveyard and will hold discussions.
Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Samajtantnk Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh and National People's Party will place floral wreaths and hold discussions.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will also hold a discussion and doa mahfil (special prayers) for the salvation of the departed intellectuals.