The nation is observing the Jail Killing Day today (Saturday) with due solemnity.

On November 3, 1975, four national leaders and heroes of the country’s Liberation War — Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman — were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail, reports the UNB.

The four leaders played a key role in forming the Mujibnagar government in exile that led the Liberation War of 1971 with Syed Nazrul Islam as the acting president, Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the finance minister and AHM Qamruzzaman as the home, relief and rehabilitation minister.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.

The President, in his message, said, ‘The aim of the killers was to erase the ideals of the Liberation War from the spirit of the young generation apart from giving rise to an undemocratic autocratic rule.’

He urged all to work from their respective positions to complete the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build a happy, prosperous Sonar Bangla. ‘This should be our promise in the Jail Killing Day.’

In her message, the Prime Minister said, ‘The killing of the four national leaders was the continuation of the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with his family. Through it, the defeated forces and anti-state quarters made an evil attempt to destroy the Liberation War spirit and render the Banglaee national leaderless by erasing the name of Awami League.’

Awami League, its associate bodies and other political parties have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

The programmes include hoisting of national flag half-mast, hoisting of party flags, wearing black badges, offering fateha at the graves of the four leaders at Banani graveyard at 7:00pm.

On the occasion, the ruling party will organise a meeting at Krishibid Institution at 3 pm where Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will speak.