No programmes allowed at Shaheed Minar Feb 13-20
Staff Correspondent
Contrary to the tradition of holding cultural programmes on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the month commemorating the language movement, authorities have suspended all kinds of programmes there from February 13 to February 20.In a press release the Dhaka University (DU) authorities requested all not to arrange any programme during those eight days as the whole compound including the altar will be 'repaired and painted for the observance of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day' on February 21. The DU authorities cancelled all the approvals they gave earlier to arrange cultural programmes during the period, the press release said. On February 9, the superintendent engineer (circle-1) of the Ministry of Public Works sent a letter requesting the DU authorities to take necessary steps to suspend all programmes on the Shaheed Minar premises during February 13--20. It is a long tradition that different cultural organisations arrange cultural programmes on the Shaheed Minar premises during the whole month of February. Meanwhile, a home ministry meeting has decided that police, Rapid Action Battalion and Bangladesh Rifles will keep the Central Shaheed Minar area under strict security during February 18-23 to ensure safety during observance of the International Mother Language Day.
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