Jail Killing Day, commemorating the assassinations of four national leaders inside the Dhaka Central Jail 34 years ago, will be observed across the country today. The four Liberation War heroes - acting president of the Bangladesh government in exile in 1971 Syed Nazrul Islam, its prime minister Tajuddin Ahmed, finance minister M Mansur Ali, and home, relief and rehabilitation minister AHM Qamaruzzaman - were gunned down on this day in 1975.

The four leaders were killed 79 days after the brutal killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975. Ruling Awami League (AL) has taken up daylong programmes to mark the day. The programmes include keeping the national and party flags at half-mast, hoisting black flags at party offices across the country, wearing black badges, placing wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban, and placing wreaths at the graves of the martyrs of August 15 and the national leaders at Bananai. The party will also hold a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 3:30pm.

President Zillur Rahman and prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages commemorating the assassinations of the four national leaders. In his message, the president said contributions of the four leaders to the history of Bngali nation will be ever remembered. Describing the jail killing as a black chapter in the nation's history, he called upon all to work together for materialising the 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Bangabandhu. Hasina, in her message, said "November 3rd is a blemished day in the history of humanity and democracy." She hoped that the countrymen will uphold democracy and the rule of law foiling all types of conspiracy, and move forward for making a prosperous and developed country free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy.

Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote yesterday organised a discussion in the city on jail killing day. Mohammad Nasim, former home minister and son of one of the four slain leaders Mansur Ali, was present as chief guest at the discussion held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. State minister for law Adv Kamrul Islam, Arun Sarkar Rana, MA Karim, actress Sonia Parvin Shapla and Abdul Haque Sabuj addressed the discussion chaired by film actor Faruk.

-The Independent