Shaheed Noor Hossain Day will be observed on Thursday, commemorating the martyrdom of a young pro-democracy activist during the anti-Ershad movement in the late 80s. On November 10, 1987, Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing when he had staged protests against the then autocratic rule of  Gen HM Ershad at the capital’s zero point near Gulistan. The 26-year-old 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. His death sparked a mass uprising that finally overthrew the Ershad regime. Different socio-political, cultural and professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day with due reverence. Read more: Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Wednesday Leaders and activists of different political parties, including Awami League and BNP, and their associate bodies will pay tributes to the martyr by placing wreaths at Noor Hossain Square in the city's Gulistan area in the morning. ‘Zero Point’ in the capital’s Gulistan area was renamed as ‘Noor Hossain Chattar’ (square) after the young man was gunned down in the area. On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages. President Hamid, in his message, said November 10 is an important day in the history of the movement for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. He recalled with respect all the martyrs, including Noor Hossain, who sacrificed their lives for democracy. In her message, PM Hasina said the country's democracy was restored through the sacrifice of the lives of many for the ouster of the dictator. She prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls of all martyrs, including Noor Hossain, and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved members of his family. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also issued separate messages on the occasion recalling the supreme sacrifice of Noor Hossain for the restoration of democracy. In a statement, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader urged all and the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies to mark the day with due respect.  

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. READ: GM Quader for probe into Noor Hossain, Dr Milon murders 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.