Dhaka, Mar 25 (V7N) – Tuesday, March 25, marks National Genocide Day, as the nation is set to solemnly remember the darkest chapter in its history—the heinous atrocities committed by Pakistani forces in 1971.
This day is dedicated to honouring the memory of the countless lives lost and the resilience of the Bangladeshi people in their struggle for independence.
In observance of the day, a symbolic one-minute blackout will be observed nationwide on Tuesday from 10:30pm to 10:31pm.
Fifty-four years ago, on this very date, Pakistani forces launched a brutal genocide, codenamed “Operation Searchlight,” on unarmed Bengalees in Dhaka, then the capital of East Pakistan.
The attack, aimed at quelling Bengali voices of dissent following the 1970 election mandate, resulted in widespread devastation and loss of life.
Since parliament accepted the proposal on March 11, 2017, March 25 has been observed annually as National Genocide Day, a day of remembrance and reflection for Bangladeshis.
At the stroke of midnight that day in 1971, armed Pakistani forces descended upon Dhaka, unleashing a reign of terror that claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, including members of the East Pakistan Rifles, students, teachers and general citizens.
The Pakistani military's ruthless campaign extended beyond Dhaka, engulfing East Pakistan in a wave of violence and destruction.
The magnitude of the atrocities is underscored by historical accounts, including estimates of over 100,000 lives lost during the period leading up to March 25, 1971.
About the night of March 25, 1971, American journalist Robert Payne wrote: “That night, at least 7,000 people were killed and 3,000 others arrested. The incident in Dhaka had just begun. All over East Pakistan, soldiers continued to rack up the death toll. Houses and shops started burning. Looting and destruction have become their addictions. Dead bodies lying on the streets became food for crows and foxes. All of Bangladesh became a cremation ground.”
Pakistani forces attacked Pilkhana, Rajarbagh and Nilkhet at midnight.
The invading forces occupied the Dhaka University area, including Nilkhet, with tanks and mortars.
Female students of Ruqayyah Hall were not spared from the attacks and nine teachers of different departments of Dhaka University were brutally killed.
The most heinous acts of brutality took place at Jagannath Hall of DU, where the killing reportedly went on till the morning.
At the beginning of the army operation, the Pakistani forces arrested Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his residence in Dhanmondi.
Before his arrest, Bangabandhu declared the independence of Bangladesh and called for resistance against the enemy at any cost.
Responding to the call, Bengalees jumped into the war against the Pakistani invaders and achieved complete victory on December 16, 1971, after nine long months of struggle.
The government has undertaken elaborate programs nationwide to observe Genocide Day this year, commemorating the atrocities of Pakistani occupation forces on Bangalee people on the black night of March 25, 1971, reports BSS.
On the occasion, discussions on the significance of the day will be held in educational institutions, where freedom fighters and eminent persons will speak about their memories of the genocide in 1971.
A seminar on Genocide and the Liberation War will be held at the Liberation War Museum in Agargaon at 10am.
A photographic exhibition and documentary screening will be arranged at all city corporations, including Dhaka.
The day's programs will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.
Special prayers will be held at mosques and other places of worship after Zuhr prayers according to the convenience of the martyrs killed on the night of March 25, 1971.
Any kind of illumination will remain restricted in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings and establishments on the night of March 25.
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