Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, commemorating the martyrdom of a young pro-democracy activist during the anti-Ershad movement in the late 80s, will be observed on Saturday.

Different socio-cultural and professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner, reports the UNB.

Leaders and activists of different political parties, including Awami League and BNP, their associate bodies, will pay tributes to the martyr by placing wreaths at Noor Hossain Square, in the morning.

‘Zero Point’ in the capital’s Gulistan area was renamed as ‘Noor Hossain Chattar’ (square) after the young man was gunned down near it by police on November 10, 1987.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said November 10 is an important day in the history of movement for democracy in the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the country’s democracy was restored through the sacrifice of the lives of many. She prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of all martyrs, including Noor Hossain, and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

On November 10, 1987 Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Juba League, was killed in police firing when he had staged protest against the autocratic rule of then Lt Gen HM Ershad at the capital’s zero point near Gulistan by painting the historic slogan ‘Gonotantra Mukti Pak, Swairachar Nipat Jak’ (Let democracy be freed, down with autocracy) on his back and chest.