The nation is observing Genocide Day today in remembrance of the brutality carried out by Pakistani Army on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971 under the infamous "Operation Searchlight".

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken various programmes to observe the Genocide Day on March 25 at state level with due respect.

As part of the programmes, one-minute symbolic 'blackout' will be observed from 10:30pm to 10:31pm on March 25 throughout the country, said a press release.

However, key point installations (KPIs) and essential establishments will remain out of the purview of this programme.

On the occasion, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages highlighting the importance of Genocide Day.

Newspapers will also publish special supplements on genocide committed by the occupation Pakistani forces on the night of March 25, 1971.

The liberation war ministry will organise cultural programmes, including 'Geeti Natya' (musical drama) based on genocide and Liberation War across the country.

Besides, discussions will be held at educational institutions where heroic freedom fighters and noted personalities will share their memories with students.

A discussion meeting was held at the Liberation War Museum at 9:30am.

Rare photos and documentaries on mass killing will be exhibited on the premises of all the city corporations, including Dhaka.

Special munazat will be offered at mosques after Zohr prayers and other places of worship will hold separate programmes seeking eternal peace for martyrs who were killed on March 25, 1971.

Similar programmes will be organised at district-upazila level and Bangladesh missions abroad.

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) unanimously adopted a resolution to observe March 25 as the "Gonohotya Dibosh" (Genocide Day) on March 11, 2017.

Subsequently, the cabinet division at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, unanimously endorsed the decision on March 20 in 2017.