The Genocide Day-2026 was observed on Wednesday across the country commemorating the brutal attacks carried out by Pakistani occupation forces on unarmed Bengalis on the black night of March 25 in 1971.
To mark the Day, different programmes were organised in districts including Habiganj, Rajbari, Rangamati, Gopalganj, Barishal.
District administrations, freedom fighters, civil society members and students joined discussions, memorial services and prayers to honour the martyrs and reflect on the legacy of the Liberation War.
HABIGANJ: The district administration organised a discussion at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) conference room. DC Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arifin presided over the session, while Whip and local MP GK Gaus attended as chief guest.
The programme began with recitations from the Qur'an and the Gita, symbolising interfaith harmony. Speakers included Additional DC Moinul Haque, freedom fighter leaders, senior physicians and police officials.
In his address, GK Gaus recalled the brutality of March 25, describing it as a "dark chapter in history." He prayed for the martyrs and urged all to uphold their sacrifice. He pledged to build Habiganj as a corruption-free district and called on administrators to resist political pressure in their duties. The event concluded with prayers led by Mostafizur Rahman.
RAJBARI: The district administration marked the Day with a memorial and discussion at Yasin High School auditorium, jointly organised by the district administration, information office and the school.
Presided over by headmaster Md Iqbal Hossain, the event featured DC Sultana Akter as chief guest, alongside senior officials from health, police and education departments.
Freedom fighters Khondkar Helal Uddin, Bakauol Abul Hashem, Siraj Ahmed, Abu Taleb and Advocate Abdul Gafur shared vivid recollections of the war. Abu Taleb noted that in Rajbari, fighting was primarily against non-Bengali collaborators, which prolonged the conflict until December 18, two days after the national victory.
Abul Hashem described how Pakistani forces attacked via Goaland Ghat, burning jute warehouses and committing massacres. He stressed the importance of passing down accurate history to inspire patriotism among the youth.
DC Sultana Akter highlighted international accounts of "Operation Searchlight," urging students to read eyewitness reports to understand the scale of the genocide. The event drew students, teachers and local dignitaries in a disciplined setting.
RANGAMATI: The district administration held a discussion at the DC's conference room, chaired by DC Nazma Ashrafi.
Speakers included SP Muhammad Abdur Rakib, senior administrators, Civil Surgeon Nuen Khisa, District BNP President Dipen Talukdar Dipu, District BNP General Secretary Adv Mamunur Rashid Mamun, and District Jamaat Secretary Monsurul Haque. They emphasised that March 25 remains a day of mourning, marking the barbaric assault on unarmed Bengalis.
Speakers urged collective efforts to build the nation in the spirit of the Liberation War and stressed the need to preserve memories of the genocide for future generations.
GOPALGANJ: On Wednesday, wreaths were laid at the martyrs' memorial located at the mass killing site adjacent to the Upazila Parishad, marking the Day. People from all walks of life paid tribute to the martyrs.
DC Md Arif-uz-Zaman, along with district administration officials, was the first to place wreaths at the memorial. Later, Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah, accompanied by police officials, also paid their respects.
Subsequently, Bir Muktijoddha Sharif Rafiquzzaman, Administrator of the District Council, along with the district unit of the Freedom Fighters' Association, District BNP, and representatives of various government and non-government institutions and educational establishments, offered tributes in memory of those killed on March 25, 1971.
A police contingent presented a guard of honour to the martyrs. Prayers were later held, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.
Following the tribute ceremony, a discussion meeting was held at the Sadar Upazila Parishad hall marking Genocide Day. DC Md Arif-uz-Zaman, SP Md Habibullah, and District Council Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Sharif Rafiquzzaman addressed the event.
BARISAL: The district administration marked the Day with a series of programmes. A discussion on genocide and Liberation War memories was held at the DC's office in the morning. The district information office arranged documentary screenings and exhibitions at schools and municipal venues.
Special prayers were offered at religious institutions across the district. At 10:30 pm, a symbolic blackout was observed at government and private establishments, except in emergency and cooperative areas, to honour the victims of March 25.
