Jail Killing Day today

Today is the Jail Killing Day, the second most disgraceful incident in the country after the brutal murder of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on 15 August 1975.

On 3 November 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.

The four leaders played a key role in forming the Mujibnagar government in exile that led the Liberation War in 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.

The nation will remember the four national leaders who were also the great heroes of the liberation war, tomorrow with due respect.

Different political parties including the ruling Awami League (AL) will observe the mournful day throughout the country amid following the health guidelines because of corona pandemic.

The AL has chalked out elaborate programmes including hoisting of national and party flags at half-mast at the party offices across the country including party's central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban immediately at down on the day. Wearing of black badges and hoisting of black flag also would be included under the programme.

Awami League will place a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi around 8am.

Leaders from Dhaka city unit Awami League and its associate body will also place tribute at Bangabandhu's portrait at the Bangabandhu Bhaban.

Placing wreaths, offering Fateha, milad-mahfil and munajat will be held at the graves of the four national leaders along with all the martyrs who had been assassinated during the night on 15 August 1975 at 8:45am.

Floral wreaths, offering fateha, milad-mahfil and munajat will be held at the grave of national leader Shahid Kamruzzaman in Rajshahi.

Besides, the AL will arrange a discussion at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city at 3:30pm. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join the programme through video conference from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Khondoker Mustaque Ahmad and other two killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – Colonel (retd) Syed Faruque Rahman and Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Khondoker Abdur Rashid-had designed the heinous killing spree of the national four leaders inside the jail.

A five-member killing squad also was formed led by Resalder Musleh Uddin who was very much close to Colonel (retd) Faruque Rahman.

"Khondoker Mustak Ahmad had designed the heinous killing plot exclusively with Farque Rahman and Abdur Rashid", said Golam Murshid in his book "Muktijuddo o Tarpar".

A probe commission, which was formally formed on 18 September 1980 in London over the killings of 15 August 1975 and subsequently the jail killing on 3 November the same year.

"The probe commission was formed following an appeal lodged by Bangabandhu's two daughters Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian and Sheikh Rehana, Mohammad selim, son of Monsur Ali and Syed Ashraful Islam, son of slain leader Syed Nazrul Islam", said Prof Abu Sayeed in his book "Bangabandhu Murder: Facts and Documents".

In that time, the probe commission became ineffective due to non-cooperation by the then Bangladesh government led by President Ziaur Rahman and refused to provide visa by the government to a probe commission member.