Victory Day Celebrated in Districts

Call for trial of war criminals

16 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Star National Desk

Victory Day was celebrated in different districts yesterday with renewed pledge for standing firm in the demand for the trial of war criminals. Thousands of people from all walks of life kept the streets in Rajshahi city lively as they observed the 38th Victory Day with enthusiasm, reports our staff correspondent from Rajshahi. The day's programme began with giving 31 times gun salutes by the district administration and Rajshahi City Corporation's placing wreaths at Bhubon Mohan Park Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01am. Then lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha placed wreaths there and read out an oath to hundreds of people declaring a firm stand for the trial of war criminals and restoration of 1972 constitution. Besides placing wreaths at different Shaheed Minars in the city, political, social and cultural organisations arranged patriotic songs, street drama, recitation of poetry, mass songs, photo exhibition and blood donation programme and health camp at different places of the city. The Victory Day programme at Rajshahi University (RU) campus began with placing of wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar by the university Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan at 12.01am, reports a correspondent from RU. Different organisations held discussions and cultural programmes including patriotic songs, street drama, poetry recitation at different points of the campus. People from all walks of life celebrated the Victory Day with enthusiasm and festivity in the port city as elsewhere of the country yesterday, reports our staff correspondent from Chittagong. Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr Afsarul Amin was the first to place wreath paying homage to the martyrs of Liberation War at the Central Shahid Minar in the city and Chittagong City Corporation Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury followed. High officials of civil administration and police, Muktijoddha Sangsad, political, social, cultural and professional organisations paid homage to the martyrs by placing wreathes. A large number of people went to the Central Shahid Minar and placed floral wreaths to pay tribute to the martyrs of Liberation War in the early hours of the day. Different programmes including colourful processions were brought out to mark the day. Programmes of the Victory Day in Khulna began with a 31 times gun salute at one minute past 12 midnight at the independence memorial at Gallamari, reports our staff correspondent. State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Munnujan Sufian and city Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque placed wreaths there to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs. Leaders of several political parties, socio-cultural organisations, high officials of civil and police administrations, judiciary, army and Rapid Action Battalion, teachers of different institutions also placed wreaths. Victory Day programmes in the city included march past at Khulna Stadium, discussions on Liberation War, show of documentary films, painting competitions, and milad mahfils and special prayers at mosques, temples and churches. Pabna district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad and district unit of Awami League organised a Victory Day rally in the town yesterday noon, reports our Pabna correspondent. "Trial of the war criminals is the oath to the Victory Day this year. The present government is determined to ensure trial of the war criminals," The state minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said during inauguration of the rally. “Trial of the killers of Bangabandhu has been completed. Trial of August 21 grenade attack case and 10-truck arms case will also be done. People should remain alert as conspirators are active,” Tuku said on the occasion. Different political and social organisations and educational institutions placed wreaths at Durjoy Pabna, a Liberation War memorial, and arranged discussions and cultural programmes. Our Netrakona Correspondent adds: District administration and different social and political organisations took various programmes to mark the 38th Victory Day yesterday. Sectors Commander Forum organised a human chain demanding punishment of the war criminals. District administrations and social, political and cultural organisations took up various programmes to celebrate Victory Day in different districts including Chandpur, Noakhali, Narsingdi, Madaripur, Feni and Munsiganj.