Political parties on Wednesday recalled the contributions of Noor Hossain to the restoration of democracy in the country by sacrificing his life during the anti-autocratic movement in the late 80s.

On November 10, 1987, Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Juba League, was killed in police firing when he had staged a protest against the then autocratic rule of Lt Gen HM Ershad at the capital’s zero point near Gulistan.

Different political parties and professional bodies paid tributes to the martyr by placing wreaths at the Noor Hossain Square at the Zero Point in the capital.

READ: Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Wednesday 

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader along with the party leaders and workers placed a wreath at the Noor Hossain Square around 8am paying homage to the memories of the martyr.

Talking to reporters, Quader said the movement for democracy was accelerated with the sacrifice of Shaheed Noor Hossain. “So, November 10 has become a glorious day in the country's history.”

He also said the long-cherished democracy was unchained under the leadership of then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina through the sacrifice by Noor Hossain.

Later, different associate bodies of the ruling party, including Jubo League, Swechchasebak League and Chhatra League, also placed wreaths there. 

BNP Dhaka North City unit president Amanullah Aman together with his some party colleagues also paid respect to Noor Hossain by placing a wreath at the same square.

Talking to reporters, he said Noor Hossain sacrificed his life for the cause of democracy. “But the current government has obliterated democracy and snatched people’s voting and other rights. We’ll take to the streets along with people for the restoration of democracy being imbued with the supreme sacrifice of Noor Hossain.”

Apart from Awami League and BNP, many other political parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Workers Party, Biplobi Workers Party and Bam Gonotantrik Jote, also paid tributes to Noor Hossain.

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On that day, Noor Hossain, a 26-year-old Awami Juba League leader, took to the streets with the slogan ‘Swairachar Nipat Jak, Gonotantra Mukti Pak’ (down with autocracy, let democracy be freed) inscribed in white on his chest and back. But he was gunned down as police opened fire on the demonstrators at Zero Point.

His death sparked a mass uprising that finally overthrew the Ershad regime.

Zero Point in the capital’s Gulistan area was renamed as ‘Noor Hossain Chattar’ (square) after the young man was killed in the area.