Nation pays homage

The nation solemnly commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the killing of four national leaders inside old Dhaka Central Jail yesterday.

At the same time, call for executing the convicted killers and unmasking the perpetrators behind the gruesome murders continue to grow louder.

Awami League, its front and like-minded organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and at the graveyards of the four leaders killed inside the jail on November 3, 1975.

The four Liberation War heroes Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of Bangladesh government in exile in 1971; Tajuddin Ahmad, prime minister of the same government; Capt M Mansur Ali, finance minister; and AHM Quamruzzaman, minister for home affairs, relief and rehabilitation, were killed in captivity by some army officers.

“The nation should know about the plotters who executed the killings, remaining behind the scene,” said Maj Gen (retd) Syed Shafayetul Islam, son of Syed Nazrul Islam, after paying homage to the martyred at jail around 9:30am.

He demanded immediate extradition of the convicted killers.

More than 14 years ago, a trial court handed punishment to 11 perpetrators for the killings but their sentence is yet to be implemented. Of them, whereabouts of nine is still unknown.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four national leaders by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi, reports UNB.

She first laid a wreath as the premier and later as Awami League president, flanked by the party's central leaders. Afterwards, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect.

The four leaders, who led the Liberation War in 1971 after Bangabandhu had been detained by the Pakistan army, were shot dead following repeated bayonet charges inside the jail.

Flanked by central leaders of the party, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seen in the photo placing a wreath as the President of Awami League at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in Dhaka on November 3, 2018 marking the Jail Killing Day. Photo: PID

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury along with other Awami League leaders paid homage to the four leaders at their memorial inside the jail.

While replying to a query, Asaduzzaman said law enforcers will foil any attempt to create anarchy centring the upcoming national election.

Many organisations also placed wreaths at the graves of three national leaders at Banani graveyard in Dhaka and at AHM Quamruzzaman's grave in Rajshahi.

In Rajshahi, Awami League brought out a mourning procession. Besides, doa mahfils were held across the country, marking Jail Killing Day.