Sector Commanders' Forum forms a human chain near the Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the city yesterday demanding immediate trial of the war criminals.Photo: STAR

Socio-political and cultural organisations yesterday observed the Martyred Intellectuals' Day in a befitting manner yesterday with a call to start the trial of war criminals soon.
The Sector Commanders' Forum (SCF) formed a human chain in front of the Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial and observed one-minute silence in memory of the martyred intellectuals.
The forum leaders vowed to put pressure on the government to start the trial without delay.
Sector commander Maj Gan (retd) KM Shafiullah said, "We will launch a campaign again to make the people aware about the trial and the people will force the government to begin the trial."
Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, a platform for cultural organisations, held discussions at five separate places in the city to mark the day.
They also presented cultural programmes, including drama, musical performance and screening of documentary films.
Dhaka University teachers, students and employees took part in a silent procession from the base of Aparajeyo Bangla at around 8:00am to pay tributes to the martyred teachers, students and employees of the university. Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique led the procession and placed wreaths at different memorials on the campus.
Later, they placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.
DU authorities also organised a discussion at the Teacher-Student Centre auditorium at noon.
Prof Arefin demanded that the war criminals be brought to justice immediately.
Different political and social organisations, including Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Juba Union, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Left Democratic Front, National Awami Party (Bhashani), Bangladesh Jubo Moitri, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Samajtantrik Mohila Forum, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Jatiya Party (JP), Bangladesh Mohila AL, Shadhinata Chikitshak Parishad, Bangladesh garment Workers Unity Council, Jahangirnagar University, Chhatra Oikya Forum, Kendrio Khelaghar Ashor, National Front of Teachers and Students, Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh and Biswa Bangalee Sammelan, placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.