Nation recalls martyrdom of Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin

Today is the 47th death anniversary of Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin, one of the seven greatest heroes of the Liberation War.

On this day in 1971, just six days before nation's victory against the Pakistan occupation army, Engine Room Artificer of Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Palash, Ruhul Amin embraced martyrdom at the bank of Rupsha river, where he had reached after swimming around a quarter kilometres from the ship.

Earlier, BNS Palash freed Mongla Port from the Pakistan occupation forces after a fierce battle. The ship was advancing towards Khulna with the same target.

As it reached near the Shipyard area, a fighter plane hurled bombs targeting the BNS Palash. Mohibullah, Bir Bikram, a staffer of the ship, was killed on the spot and the rest of the crew members jumped into the river.

Ruhul Amin managed to escape the bomb attack but he was killed by the Razakar Bahini once he reached the riverbank. The next day, Ruhul Amin and Mohibullah was buried at Bagmara village in East Rupsha.

In 1997, Khulna Development Authority built a memorial complex around their graveyard. The complex is being supervised by the navy.

Bangladesh Navy in Khulna Headquarters has chalked out various programmes to observe death anniversary of the two heroes in a befitting manner. Rupsha Press Club will also observe the day.