Victory Day celebrated paying homage to war heroes in Ctg

Victory Day was celebrated in the port city on Tuesday with due solemnity, paying rich tributes to the martyred freedom fighters.

Different government and non-government bodies, educational institutions, socio-cultural and political organisations organised elaborate day-long programmes to mark the occasion.

Hundreds of people, individually and in processions, gathered at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Uttar Kattali and the Chattogram Central Shaheed Minar from early morning.

The formal celebrations began with the rendering of a state guard of honour at the memorial.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Zia Uddin, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz, Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Md Ahsan Habib Polash, CMP Additional Commissioner Md Humayun Kabir and Chattogram Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan placed wreaths at the memorial.

Later, officials and employees of different organisations paid homage to the martyrs.

Speaking to journalists, Mayor Dr Shahadat said that through the declaration of independence on 26 March 1971, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh.

“To protect our independence, everyone must work together,” he said.

“We are trying to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of democracy. Our main objective is to ensure people’s fundamental rights, freedom of speech, democratic rights, the rule of law, human rights and the right to vote,” the mayor added.

BNP and its affiliated bodies, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Chhatra Union and the Red Crescent Society, among others, also paid respects at the memorials.

Meanwhile, the CCC, Chattogram district administration and other organisations arranged day-long programmes, including receptions for freedom fighters, photo exhibitions, painting competitions and film screenings, to mark Victory Day.