Bangladesh is observing Martyred Intellectuals Day with profound respect, as people from all walks of life, especially students and the general public, converged on the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the capital to pay homage to the nation's brightest minds systematically executed in 1971.
Leaders and activists of various political parties (including BNP leaders and activists), representatives of socio-cultural organisations, freedom fighters, and students gathered at the memorial from the early hours of the day to place floral wreaths.
As the morning progressed, the gathering was dominated by a large number of school and college students and general people, with their presence being more noticeable than that of political party activists.
Students and leaders from Dhaka University (including DUCSU and hall units), Dhaka College, Dhaka Commerce College, and Residential Model College were among those who paid their respects.
Former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan also paid tribute at the Rayerbazar Boddhobhumi (Killing Ground) in the morning. (Note: Separate reports confirm President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid tributes at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial earlier in the day).
Students reiterated the dark history of the day, emphasizing that the Pakistani occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators—specifically Rajakar and Al-Badr—abducted and killed the nation's teachers, journalists, and writers in a pre-planned effort to cripple the emerging nation intellectually, socially, and culturally.
Students stressed that the nation will never forgive the collaborators and vowed that the "spirit of 1971 must live in the hearts of every citizen." Security at the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial has been significantly tightened to ensure the sanctity of the day. Police, members of the Detective Branch (DB), and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed. Visitors are passing through archway scanners, and the entire area is being monitored by CCTV surveillance.
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