The Crime Desk: Today is the 42nd death anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On this day in 1981, he lost his life brutally at the hands of some misguided members of the army at Chittagong Circuit House. Ziaur Rahman was one of the sector commanders of the Liberation War and the captain of Z Force. The BNP observes this day every year as Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom anniversary.
In commemoration of this sad day, the BNP and its allied organizations have organized an 18-day program including prayer meetings, discussion meetings, and the distribution of food among the poor, including in the capital, Dhaka.
Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936, in Gabtali, Bogra. He was the Major of the Bengali Platoon of the East Bengal Regiment (EPR). After independence, he was awarded the Bir Uttam title by the then-Bangladesh government. He then became the army chief. After 81 days of Mushtaq’s government, he took over as the Chief Army Administrator and President of Bangladesh on November 7, 1975. He first formed the National Democratic Party (Jagdal) and, in 1977, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
18-day program
BNP has announced an 18-day central program on the occasion of Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary. This program started yesterday at 2 p.m. in the capital’s Ramna Engineers Institution auditorium with a discussion. The party flag will be at half-mast, and the black flag will be hoisted at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan at 6 a.m. today, May 30. On this day, at 11 o’clock in the morning, under the leadership of the Secretary General, Ziaur Rahman’s shrine will be visited by offering flowers and praying for the forgiveness of his soul. Later, a prayer ceremony will be held on the shrine premises on the initiative of the Ulama group. BNP North and South will distribute clothes and cooked food to the needy in each police station today. On June 1, Jasas, the June 2 National Joint Professional Council (BSPP), the June 4 Labor Party, the June 8 Weaver Party, and the June 10 Fishermen Party will hold discussions. Other organizations of the BNP will continue to hold programs until June 15.
