Dark Night of 25 March remembered

Ansar Ahmed Ullah

The UK Nirmul Committee and pro-liberation Bengali diaspora remembered the genocide of the dark night of 25th March, 71 in a ‘Light Vigil’ on Wed 25th March, 6pm at Central Shahid Minar, Altab Ali Park, East London.

People who gathered in Altab Ali Park paid homage to those who lost their lives on the night of 25th when the Pakistani military launched assault on the innocent un-armed Bengalis of the then East Pakistan. In addition the event reiterated the quest to seek justice for the victims of ’71 war & to demand the completion of trial of all war criminals who carried out genocide of innocent millions.

The event was conducted by Nirmul Committee’s Asst Sec Jamal Khan. It started with a minute silence and followed with a brief commemoration. Those who addressed the event were freedom fighter Koysor Syed, Freedom fighter Lukman Husain, UK Awami League’s Women Sec Meher Nigar Chowdhury, Nirmul Committee’s Research Sec Matiar Chowdhury, JASOD’s Mojibul Haq Moni,Justice for Bangladesh Genocide’s Mokis Ahmed Mokis & members of London City Unit, Poet Moynur Rahman Babul, Nirmul Committee’s treasurer Jhalok Pal, Nirmul Committee’s Press Sec Sayeem Chowdhury, Juddaaparad Moncho’s Anisur Rahman Anis, Betar Bangla’s Mr Nazrul Islam Okib, Ex Moulvibazar Chatro League activist Mr Jashim, Gonojagoron Moncho’s Ajanta Dev Roy, Nirmul Committee’s executive member Shah Tufail Ahmed and Dudu Miah amongst many others.

Poetry in remembrance was recited by Nirmul Committees executive member Smrity Azad & Nirmul Committee’s Organising Sec Ruby Hoque. Oath taking was led by freedom fighter Fayzur Rahman Khan. Floral wreath was laid at the Shahid Minar by a delegation in memory of those who perished.

Nirmul Committee’s chairperson Dr B B Chaudhuri brought the event to an end by saying that the genocide carried out by Pakistani military on the night of 25 March was one of the most brutal in the world. Following the army assault named Searchlight the Pakistani army arrested Bangabandhu before he declared the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of 26 March. The Pakistani military was assisted by Bengali collaborators of Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League & Nezam-e-Islami in killing 3 million Bengalis. The Nirmul Committee has been commemorating the killings of innocent on the dark night of 25 March by holding annual ‘Light Vigil’ and has been demanding that 25 March be declared as ‘Genocide Day’.