The nation is set to observe the 50th historic Mass Upsurge Day on Wednesday to commemorate the valiant sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives during the movement in 1969 that culminated in the country’s independence.

On this day in 1969, school student Motiur Rahman Mallik and a teenager Rustam were killed in police firing at the final stage of the mass movement that ousted General Ayub Khan from power and paved the path for the country’s independence, reports the UNB.

Motiur was a student of class ten of Nabakumar Institute. Many others were also injured in the indiscriminate police firing during a general strike in the city on that day, reports the UNB.

Different socio-cultural organisations and political parties have taken elaborate programmes in observance of the day.

The programmes include placing wreaths at the graves and portraits of martyrs Motiur and Rustom and arranging discussions.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages highlighting the significance of the day.

In separate messages, they also paid homage to those who laid down their lives for their motherland on this day.

They also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs.