DHAKA, May 29, (V7N ) - BNP and its affiliated organizations in Chattogram city and north and south district units have organized elaborate programmes to observe the 45th death anniversary of the party’s founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Following central BNP directives, a three-day programme will run from May 29 to June 1 to mark the anniversary. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in Chattogram on May 30, 1981.
City BNP Senior Joint Convenor Shoukat Azam Khawza said national and party flags will be kept at half-mast and black flags will be hoisted at all BNP offices, including the city headquarters at Nasimon Bhaban, from 6:00 a.m. on May 30.
Similar observances will take place at ward, union, thana, and municipality-level party offices across the district.
BNP leaders, activists, and members of affiliated bodies will place wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Rangunia at 10:00 a.m. and later at Biplob Udyan in the city’s No. 2 Gate area at 12:00 p.m. the same day.
City BNP General Secretary Nazimur Rahman said party leaders will offer prayers at the grave and join a doa and milad mahfil for the eternal peace of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Senior city and district BNP leaders, including City BNP President Ershadullah, MP, and Abu Sufian, MP, are expected to attend.
Nazimur Rahman added that an inter-school Gold Cup football tournament has been organized in Chattogram for the occasion.
A discussion meeting in memory of Ziaur Rahman will be held on June 1 at the city BNP office at Nasimon Bhaban.
In addition, discussion meetings, special prayers at mosques, and distribution of rice, lentils, and clothes among underprivileged people will be held in different wards of Chattogram City Corporation and various upazilas.
City BNP office secretary Idris Ali said that under Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain’s initiative, relief materials including rice, lentils, and clothes will be distributed among poor families in different wards and thanas on May 30.
Chattogram South District BNP Convener Idris Mia said upazila and municipality units across the district will also mark the day with discussion meetings, doa mahfils, and humanitarian assistance programmes.
The party will also publish special supplements in national newspapers for the anniversary.
The Chattogram District Administration will hold a discussion meeting and doa mahfil at the Circuit House Conference Room to commemorate the anniversary.
The Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram will organize a discussion meeting and doa mahfil at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain will attend as chief guest, with Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah as special guests.
The city unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal announced a two-day programme. Convener Belayet Hossain Bulu said food will be distributed to the poor at city police stations on May 30, while special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches, and pagodas. On May 31, cleanliness drives and tree plantation programmes will be held in different city wards.
City units of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal have also arranged separate programmes.
Bangladesh Television (BTV) Chattogram Centre has arranged a daylong special broadcast. General Manager Md Imam Hossain said a documentary titled “Swadhinatar Ghoshak Zia” on Ziaur Rahman’s life and contributions will be aired.
A discussion programme titled “Mrityunjoyee Swadhinatar Ghoshak” will feature State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and senior journalist Shah Newaz.
According to BTV Chattogram sources, a poetry recitation and musical programme titled “Kamal to Shaheed Zia” and a special magazine programme “Amra Kamal Kudi” will also be broadcast.
A special graphic video featuring notable quotes of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman will run throughout the day.
Md Imam Hossain said the state-run channel designed a comprehensive lineup to present Ziaur Rahman’s life, leadership, and contributions to audiences of all ages, especially the younger generation.
Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 and was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
END/AJ/RH
