Mass Killing Day observed in Chattogram
Ctg Correspondent: Dhaka, Jan-24,
Chattogram Mass Killing Day was observed here today paying glowing tributes to those, who were martyred on this day in 1988.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations observed the day through elaborate programmes including placing wreaths before the monument at the court building memorial monument, discussing meetings regarding the incident, hoisting black flags and wearing black badges.
On this day, as many as 24 people were killed and over 200 others injured when police opened fire on a mammoth public meeting of the then chief of the 15-party alliance Sheikh Hasina at Laldighi Maidan.
The incident took place during the regime of military dictator HM Ershad. Residents of the district have been observing January 24 as the ‘Mass Killing Day’ from then.
A Chattogram court sentenced five people to death in a case filed over the incident on January 24 in 2020.
Leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, (AL), Chattogram city, district north and south chapters led by acting President of City AL Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, former city Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin placed wreaths at the monument this morning.
Chattogram City corporation, leaders of Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad, Chattogram District Bar Association, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangladesh Mohila Awami League, Muktijoddha Chhatra Command, National Awami Party, different wings of AL and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote also placed wreaths at the memorial.
Later, a memorial meeting was held on the premises of the monument with the acting President of Chattogram City AL Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury in the chair.
Former city Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, City AL vice-president Alhaj Naeem Uddin Chowdhury, its joint general secretary and city mayor M.K. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, AL leaders Alhaj Safar Ali, Noman Al Mahmud, Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni, Alhaj Shafiqul Islam Faruk, Syed Hasan Mahmud Shamser and Chandan Dhar, among others, addressed the function.
Mahtab Uddin paid rich tributes to those who were killed and said the massacre further intensified the movement to topple the Ershad regime.
Recalling the heart-rending scene of that incident, AJM Nasir said it was a pre-planned attempt to shoot at the then Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
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