The nation is observing the ‘Genocide Day’ today in remembrance of the brutality carried out by Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971 under the infamous “Operation Searchlight”.

The government and political, social and cultural organizations have drawn up various programmes to observe the day with due respect, maintaining the health guidelines in the wake of the global pandemic coronavirus, reports BSS.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the ‘Genocide Day’ paying rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 genocide.

To mark the day, the country is set to stage a one-minute blackout from 9 pm to 9.01 pm on March 25 recalling the horror of the March 25, 1971 black night when the Pakistanis launched genocide on Bangladesh soil, said a press release.

A discussion will be held on the “Gonohotya Dibos” (Day of Genocide)”at 10:00 am at National Museum in the capital marking the day.

Discussions and memorial programmes will be arranged at the all educational institutions while rare photos and documentaries on mass killing will be exhibited on the premises of all the city corporations including Dhaka.

Newspapers have published special supplements and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Special munazat will be offered at all the mosques and other religious institutions, seeking eternal peace for martyrs who were killed on March 25, 1971.

Discussions will be arranged at district and upazila levels marking the day. Besides, musical drama on genocide and Liberation War will be staged across the country besides cultural programs.

On the black night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military junta carried out mass killing in Dhaka as part of their blueprint to thwart the Awami League’s assumption of office following the victory in the elections held in 1970.

In the attack dubbed ‘Operation Searchlight’, the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.

They killed people indiscriminately, set houses and properties on fire, and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction.

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) unanimously adopted a resolution to observe the March 25 as the “Gonohotya Dibos” (Genocide Day) on March 11, 2017.

Subsequently, the cabinet division at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, unanimously endorsed the decision on March 20 in 2017.