Chattogram: The 56th Independence and National Day was celebrated in the port city of Chattogram and across the district with fervor and solemnity, paying respect to the martyrs and calling for greater national unity to further consolidate the country’s hard-earned freedom and sovereignty. The day included official programs organized by the district administration, Chattogram City Corporation, various political parties, and socio-cultural organizations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the day’s events commenced with 31-gunshots at dawn at the central Liberation War memorial at Kattalo in the city. City mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossen, alongside top officials from the divisional, district, and police administration, and Freedom Fighters, placed wreaths at the memorial to honor the valiant individuals who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from Pakistani occupation forces. The mayor emphasized the importance of paying tribute to all heroic freedom fighters, including Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who declared independence from the Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram.
From early morning, leaders of different political parties, social-cultural organizations, and citizens from various professions visited the Liberation War memorial, carrying national flags, flowers, banners, and festoons to pay their respects. Many children and youths donned green and red attire and headgear matching the national flag to honor the national heroes.
National flags were hoisted atop all government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and important private offices. Both BTV and Bangladesh Betar Chattogram centers aired special programs, while local newspapers published special issues highlighting the importance of the historic day.
A colorful parade was one of the day’s highlights, held at the local M A Aziz Stadium at 9 a.m. It featured contingents from departments including the police, Ansars, VDP, Fire Service and Civil Defense, Rovers and Boys Scouts, and youth Red Crescents. Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md Ziauddin inaugurated the parade as the chief guest by releasing balloons and pigeons and later inspected the parade. The event, presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, was attended by special guests such as Chattogram Range DIG Md. Moniruzzaman, Additional Police Commissioner of CMP Md. Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, and District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan.
The BNP city, south, and north district units, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam city unit, Chattogram University (CU), Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University organized various events, including placing garlands and holding discussion meetings to celebrate the Independence and National Day.
On this occasion, Chattogram city BNP paid tribute to the martyrs by laying wreaths at the Biplob Udyan Memorial at 11 a.m. A short rally followed the tribute, presided over by the convener of the city BNP and newly elected MP Ershad Ullah, and moderated by the Member Secretary of the city BNP Nazimur Rahman. State Minister for Land and Hill Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and MP Abu Sufian spoke at the rally.