Jail Killing Day observed

The nation yesterday sombrely commemorated the 40th anniversary of gunning down four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail, ever since known as the Jail Killing Day.

On this day in 1975, four Liberation War heroes -- Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of Bangladesh government in exile in 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad, prime minister of the same government, Capt M Mansur Ali, finance minister, and AHM Quamaruzzaman, minister for home affairs, relief and rehabilitation -- were killed in captivity by some army officers.

Marking the day, the ruling Awami League, its front organisations and like-minded organisations and parties wore black badges and placed wreathes at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and later placed garlands at the graves of the slain leaders at Banani Graveyard and offered special prayers.

The Awami League-led alliance government once again expressed its stance to execute the verdict against the killers by bringing them back home expeditiously.

Early in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL chief, and her party and cabinet colleagues paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, also the son of slain national leader Capt M Mansur Ali, blamed Ziaur Rahman and Khandaker Mostak for their direct and indirect connection with the killing mission.