News desk: The nation on Saturday observed the ‘Genocide Day' for the first time across the country raising a strong demand for having the day recohnised as an international day.
The government, Awami League, and other political parties, and socio-cultural organisations marked the day with elaborate programmes, commemorating the cowardly attack on Bangalees and mass killing in Dhaka by the Pakistani occupation forces on March 25 in 1971.
The programmes included paying homage to the 1971 martyrs at killing grounds at different parts of the country, offering prayers, holding memorial meetings and discussions and screening documentaries.
On March 11 last, Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution to observe March 25 as the Genocide Day. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification on March 21 in this regard.
Awami League held rallies in the city in observance of the day.
A photography exhibition titled ‘Bloody 25th March: Genocide History' was held at Suhrawardy Udyan on the occasion.
Besides, cultural and discussion programmes on the Liberation War were held at every district and upazila.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad and other foreign missions observed the ‘Genocide Day' in a befitting manner.
During a discussion meeting organised by the High Commission on the chancery premises to mark the day, speakers highlighted the sudden attack and killing of thousands of innocent and unarmed Bangalees on the black night of 25 March 1971 by Pakistani occupation forces.
High Commissioner Tarik Ahsan, Deputy High Commissioner Noor-E-Helal Saifur Rahman, members of expatriate Bangladesh community, officials and staff of the High Commission joined the programme, according to a message received here from Islamabad.
Bangabandhu Gobeshona Parishad arranged a discussion meeting at a conference room of Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad (BSKP) on the occasion.
Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall arranged various programmes to mark the day with due respect.
On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to massacre in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart Awami League's assumption of office following the huge election mandate in 1970.
In the attack, dubbed as ‘Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.
They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to houses and property and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction.unb.
