The nation mourns the assassination of Bangladesh's founding-father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today with state level arrangements to observe the day.Following a High Court order, the Caretaker Government reinstated August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday to commemorate the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The last BNP-led alliance government had cancelled the state observance of August 15 in 2002. The day was declared as the National Mourning Day when Hasina led his Awami League back to power after 21 years in political wilderness.On this day in 1975 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed along with most of his family members at his Dhanmondi residence by a group of army officers. Two of his daughters, former premier Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived the putsch as they were abroad. An indemnity was awarded to the assassins barring trial of the miscreants and their masterminds.The delayed trial in the former premier's assassination was initiated in 1996 to bring the killers, all former military officers, to justice and a Dhaka court in 1998 handed down death sentence to 15 of them. However, the sentences are yet to be executed.The national flag will fly half-mast at all government and semi-government offices to show respects to the slain leader on the 33rd anniversary of his assassination.President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and chiefs of the three forces would place wreaths at the grave of Bangabandhu at Tungipara, in Gopalganj district this morning and offer fateha there.A special guard of honour by the armed forces will be paid to Bangabandhu. President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed paid their deep tributes to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the eve of his 33rd death anniversary, recalling his heroic leadership for the country's independence.In a message, Prof Iajuddin said the nation with deep respects recall the contribution of Bangabandhu, the harbinger of Bangladesh's independence struggle and architect of independent and sovereign Bangladesh."Bangabandhu was uncompromising in realizing self-rights by enduring oppression and torture. His political farsightedness, valour, oratory and robust leadership had inspired the nation into the war of independence," said the President.In another message, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said Bangabandhu, an unforgettable personality and ever-shining ideal in the nation's history, had faced torture and imprisoned for long in order to establish people's rights. "His call for independence and freedom had inspired and unified the whole nation."The CA lauded Bangabandhu for his ceaseless struggle against subjugation, exploitation, misrule, deprivation and injustice."He had created an unprecedented mass awareness across the country, which is rare in world history. The Bengali nation had achieved the great independence due to his uncompromising, fearless and farsighted leadership," said the head of the caretaker government.Our correspondent from Tungipara reports that special security arrangements have been taken at Tungipara ahead of scheduled visits by the president, chief adviser and chiefs of the three forces.Special Security Forces have been deployed around the mausoleum complex of Bangabandhu. Troops staged preparatory parades in honour of the supreme leader of Bangladesh's liberation war.In observance of the 33rd death anniversary of Bangabandhu, different political parties including Awami League, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganatantri Party, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Jatiya Party have chalked out elaborate programmes.Socio-cultural organisations, professional bodies and people from all walks of life will organise different programmes including placing wreaths on Bangabandhu's portrait at Dhanmondi and also at the Banani graveyard, holding discussion meetings, milad mahfil, feeding of destitute etc.Senior Awami League leaders paid homage yesterday at Bangabandhu's mazar at Tungipara as part of the party's two-day programme.National and party flags of Awami League will be hoisted half-mast and black flags also be hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban and all the party offices at 6 am today.The leaders and activists will place wreath at the portrait of Mujibur Rahman at the Bhaban at about 8 am.At Banani graveyard, wreaths will also be placed on the graves of all those who were killed with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975 at 8.30am.Other programmes include destitute feeding and milad mehfil and prayer at all religious institutions.Acting General Secretary of the party Syed Ashraful Islam in a statement called upon the countrymen, including leaders, activists and supporters, to observe the mourning day "in a befitting manner".CPB President Monjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim in a statement yesterday said an axis of local and foreign enemies of Bangladesh were mastermind of the assassination.CPB demanded release of all the secret documents of intelligent agencies of various countries to unearth hidden story of the bloody coup."The motive behind the assassination was to backtrack Bangladesh from its progressive line. The patrons of the assassins, who assumed power after the August 15 bloody coup successively, led the nation towards past and brought detrimental amendments to the constitution," the party said. CPB demanded execution of the killers and restoration of four fundamentals that were enshrined in the constitution of 1972.CPB will organise a discussion meeting at its central office at Paltan in the caipital today as part of its countrywide programme to mark the death anniversary of Bangabandhu.Ganatantri Party will also arrange discussion meeting at its Maya Kanan central office at Kakrail in the city.
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