The night the genocide began

These three innocent rickshaw-pullers were among some 7,000 people killed wantonly by Pakistani troops in Dhaka on that fateful night of March 25 in '71. PHOTO: Star File Photo

March 25 arrives once again evoking painful memories of a night of murder and mayhem, the beginning of the genocide of millions of Bangalees by the Pakistani occupation forces.

On this night in 1971, the Pakistani military rulers launched "Operation Search Light" against the unarmed Bangalees. Dhaka University was attacked and students exterminated in the hundreds. Death squads roamed Dhaka streets, killing some 7,000 people in a single night.

It was to be only the beginning. On March 26, the nation waged an armed struggle against the Pakistani occupation forces following the declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Pakistani forces arrested Bangabandhu as he, through a wireless message, called upon the people to resist the occupation forces.

Later, Awami League leader MA Hannan and Major Ziaur Rahman (later president of Bangladesh) read out the proclamation of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu, which was broadcast from Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong.

A nine-month liberation war began culminating in the surrender of the Pakistani aggressors on December 16.

Different socio-cultural and educational organisations have taken up elaborate programmes tonight to observe the dark night of March 25.

The Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee will hold a rally of the freedom fighters and families of the martyred at 7:30pm at the Central Shaheed Minar. Professor Kabir Chowdhury will preside over the rally.

The rally over, the participants will take out a torch procession and pay their homage placing those candles at the graveyard of the martyred freedom fighters at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University.

The Liberation War Museum will organise a musical soiree and a function from where an account of genocide will be read out at the museum premises at 5:00pm today.

Faculty of Fine Arts of University of Development Alternative will arrange street painting on Manik Mian Avenue from dusk today until dawn tomorrow.

The nation will celebrate the 34th anniversary of its independence tomorrow.

Apart from official Independence Day programmes, different socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Newspapers will bring out special supplements.