Dhaka, Nov 03 (V7N) — Today, Bangladesh commemorates the lives of four national leaders—Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman—who were brutally murdered on this night in 1975 inside the Dhaka Central Jail. The four, who were instrumental figures in Bangladesh’s Liberation War and close associates of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were attacked in their cells shortly before dawn, a chilling act of betrayal that shocked the nation.

The assassins, not content with shooting their victims, further mutilated the bodies with bayonets, highlighting the calculated cruelty of the attack. The murders followed the assassination of Bangabandhu in August of the same year, and soon after, a new regime led by Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed took power. When offered roles in this government, the four leaders staunchly refused, remaining loyal to the vision of Bangabandhu—a stance that ultimately led to their deaths.

The initial investigation into the jail killings, launched on November 4, 1975, by the then-Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Kazi Abdul Awal, remained stalled for over two decades, only resuming when the Awami League returned to power in 1996. After years of delay, justice saw movement in 2004, when the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court delivered its long-awaited verdict.

Each year, Jail Killing Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these four national leaders. Today, with sorrow and respect, the nation pays tribute to their enduring legacies and commitment to Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.

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