Khulna: Khulna University (KU) will observe a mourning day tomorrow (March 13) marking the anniversary of the tragic Katka incident in the Sundarbans in 2004, when 11 university students drowned during an educational tour.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, on this day in 2004, a group of students from the Architecture Discipline of KU and two students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) went on a study tour to Katka, a scenic area in the Sundarbans. During the visit, 11 students were swept away by the sea and drowned in a tragic accident.
Among the victims were nine students from the Architecture Discipline of Khulna University. They were Arnaz Rifat Rupa, Md Mahmudur Rahman, Maksumul Aziz Mostaji, Abdullah Hel Baki, Kazi Mueed Bin Wali, Md Kawsar Ahmed Khan, Munadil Raihan Bin Mahbub, Md Ashraful Zaman, and Md Touhidul Enam. The two students from BUET who also lost their lives in the incident were Samiul and Shakil.
Since the tragedy, Khulna University has been observing March 13 every year as a mourning day to remember the students who lost their lives in the Katka tragedy. Marking the day this year with due respect and solemnity, the university authorities have taken several programmes.
The programmes include a special prayer session after Jummah prayers at the university’s central Jame Mosque. In addition, an iftar and dinner will be arranged in the evening with orphans as part of the commemorative observances. The university community is expected to recall the memories of the departed students and pray for the eternal peace of their souls during the programmes.