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BSS-24
DAY-MOURNING
Nation ready to observe National Mourning Day tomorrow
DHAKA, Aug 14, 2019 (BSS) – The nation is set to observe the National
Mourning Day tomorrow, marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
The killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on the fateful
night of August 15, 1975 is the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.
The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu
alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.
They include his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh
Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal,
brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent
journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel
Jamil.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped
the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying
overseas then.
The killing of Bangabandhu, the greatest son of the soil in thousand
years, descended a pall of gloom and spread a sense of deep sadness among the
people in the country and across the globe.
The world protested and condemned the killing, saying it is an irreparable
loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.
Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political
and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional
groups chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the
greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom.
The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1,
recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to
safeguard perpetually the country’s independence and sovereignty.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate
messages on the eve of the Day.
The government drew elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due
respect and solemnity. As part of the programme, the national flag will fly
half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous
bodies and educational institutions on the day.
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