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Fresh vow to speed up war trial

Nation salutes war heroes on Independence Day

Staff Correspondent
The country's 41st independence day was observed yesterday with the nation taking a vow to expedite the war crimes trial, and consolidate democracy in line with the spirit of the War of Liberation.
As the day broke, people from all walks of life began crowding into the Liberation War memorials across the country to honour those who had laid down their lives to liberate the country.
Amid the celebrations of independence commemorating war heroes, it was clear that the spirit of the Liberation War had permeated the country.
This year the Independence Day celebrations took on a greater dimension as the government is conferring awards on some
110 foreign nationals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to the 1971 Liberation War.
However, the solemnity of the day was undermined when supporters of the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP were locked in a clash near the National Memorial in Savar.
On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces unleashed attacks on innocent unarmed people in Dhaka of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to suppress the uprising of Bangalees.
On the night before his arrest, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman issued a proclamation of independence. Awami League leader MA Hannan on the following day read out Bangabandhu's message on air from Chittagong.
On March 27, Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman read out the message again. Hearing the declaration of independence from an army officer, the people, who had witnessed the night of bloodshed in Dhaka, regained the courage to wage a war for liberty.
The subsequent ninemonth bloody war brought to the Bangalees the long-awaited free Bangladesh, through the sacrifice of three million people.
Yesterday's celebrations began with a 31-gun salute before dawn at the National Parade Square in the capital.
At sunrise, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar and stood in solemn silence for a few moments to pay respect to the martyrs.
A smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces stood at salute while the last post was played on bugles.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, the chief justice, cabinet members, parliament members, senior leaders of the ruling party, chiefs of the security forces, diplomats, civil and military officials and freedom fighters were present on the occasion.
Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia, accompanied by senior leaders of her party, laid wreaths at the National Memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs.
Bangladesh's foreign friends also paid respects to the war martyrs in the morning.
The premier joined a rally of children and youths at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the morning.
In the evening, the president hosted a reception for wounded freedom fighters, dignitaries, noted citizens and diplomats at Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also present.
The day was a public holiday. The national flag was hoisted atop government buildings, offices of corporate bodies, banks, leading business houses and homes to mark the day.
People from all walks of life, including families and relatives of the martyrs, victims of war crimes, freedom fighters, socio-political and cultural organisations, human rights bodies and students laid floral wreaths at the memorials.
The National Memorial resonated with slogans and
patriotic songs yesterday. People and different organisations also placed floral wreaths at Shildra Chirantan at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
On the occasion, many cultural programmes were organised. The historic 7th March speech by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and patriotic songs were played at public places all around the capital.
The state-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels broadcast special programmes and newspapers brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
Special prayers were offered at religious centres across the country for the eternal peace of the martyrs and seeking divine blessings for the country's prosperity.
The president, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition gave separate messages on the eve of the day.