Shawdesh desk:

The Embassy of Bangladesh, Tokyo observed the dreadful March 25, the Genocide Day with due solemnity.

The programme started with observance of one minute silence in remembrance of all martyrs of the dreadful night followed by offering special prayers for the salvation of the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on March 25 and during the nine-months of Liberation War in 1971.

Prayer was also offered for the salvation of the souls of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members, who were martyred on 15 August 1975.

The messages issued by the president and the prime minister on Genocide Day were read out by Embassy officials.

Shahabuddin Ahmed, ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan paid homage to the heroes who embraced martyrdom in the dark and deadly night of March 25, 1971, when Pakistani occupation forces carried out cowardly attack to the sleeping unarmed Bengalis.

The ambassador said that the main purpose of the Pakistani military’s Operation Searchlight was to unleash a genocide to kill prominent leaders of Awami League, students and renowned intellectuals living in the Dhaka and other major cities of then East Pakistan with an aim to crush the independence movement under the leadership of Bangabandhu and establish their control over the province.

Ambassador said that soon after the crackdown, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared independence and called upon the countrymen to fight the occupation force till we attain victory.

A discussion on the significance of the day was held. Embassy officials took part in a discussion.

The speakers remembered with deep respect all the martyrs who were killed in the terrible night of March 25, 1971.

They also recalled the architect of the independence of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his role and intrinsic contribution that led to independent Bangladesh after nine-months of bloody war, with profound respect.

A documentary was screened on the Genocide Day.