The nation is set to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday to commemorate the intellectuals killed systematically by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971.
On this day in 1971, the country’s renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered.
Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital.
Sensing an imminent defeat, the Pakistani forces and their local collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar committed the cold-blooded mass murders aiming to annihilate the country's intelligentsia and cripple emerging Bangladesh intellectually.
Among the martyred intellectuals are Prof Munier Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.
The interim government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the December 14 tragedy.
Besides, the family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters will pay homage to the martyred intellectuals marking the day.
On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages marking the day.
Leaders and activists of different political and social organisations will also pay homage to the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard.
Special doa and munajat will be offered at mosques, temples and churches marking the day.
Bangladesh Television and private television channels will broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
National dailies will also publish special supplements marking the day.