The historic Shaheed Noor Hossain Day was observed yesterday through different activities commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the pro-democracy activist.

Noor Hossain was shot dead by police at Zero Point in the capital on November 10, 1987, during a procession against the autocratic regime of HM Ershad. Noor Hossain was bearing the slogan "Swairachar Nipat Jak, Gonotantra Mukti Pak" (down with autocracy, let democracy be freed) inscribed in white on his chest and back when a bullet pierced through his body.

Later, the Zero Point at Gulistan was renamed as Noor Hossain Chattar (square) in his honour.

Addressing a discussion on the anti-autocratic movement leader organised by Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad at Jatiya Press Club, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the people of Bangladesh are never afraid of speaking up in times of crisis.

Noor Hossain is an example of how courageous the people of the country are in the face of oppression, he added.

Different political parties including the ruling Awami League, BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Shamajtantrik Dal and cultural organisations like Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi placed wreaths at the Chattar.