The nation is set to observe the Martyred Intellectuals' Day tomorrow (December 14) in a befitting manner.

The day is observed on 14 December in Bangladesh to commemorate the systematic execution of Bengali pro-liberation intellectuals during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 by the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators, most notably the Al-Badr.

The great sons of the soil were killed with an evil motive to cripple the Bengali nation just two days before the country earned its victory.

National programmes have been chalked out to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day with due respect.

Those who were exposed to the killers' wrath on December 14, 1971 included litterateur Munier Choudhury, Prof Govinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Prof Santash Chandra Bhattacharya, Journalists Shahidullah Kaisar, Sirajudddin Hossain, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan and Selina Parveen and, Prof Anwar Pasha, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury and Prof Muniruzzaman.
 
Most of the December 14 victims were picked up from their houses blindfolded and killed during December 10 to 14 in 1971.

As per state programme, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place separate wreaths at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial at 7.05am and 7.06am respectively.

People from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the Intellectuals' Memorial from 8.30 am.

Different television and radio channels Betar will hold special discussions while national dailies and online news portals will publish special supplements on the day highlighting its significance.

Discussions will be held at all district and upazila levels of the country while special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship marking the day.

Ruling Awami League and other political parties will also observe the day with various programmes.

BDST: 1529 HRS, DEC 13, 2023
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