President, PM pay homage to language martyrs at Shaheed Minar

President Md Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Language Movement on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day early today.

The president placed a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka right at 12:01am as part of the state observance.

Following him, Tarique placed a wreath in his capacity as prime minister at 12:06am.

The heads of state and government, separately, stood in solemn silence to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language.

Tarique then led his cabinet members to place another wreath at the altar and then as chairman of the BNP.

At 12:16am, led by Tarique Rahman, BNP standing committee members paid tribute.

At 12:18am, on behalf of the Zia family, Tarique, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Zaima Rahman paid tribute.

Jamaat Ameer and leader of the opposition Shafiqur Rahman, leading the 11-party alliance, placed a wreath at 12:23am. NCP leaders including Nahid Islam and Hasnat Abdullah and other leaders of the alliance accompanied him.

The three chiefs of services -- Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan -- placed a wreath.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, foreign diplomats, invited guests, senior military and civil officials, and Dhaka University teachers also paid homage.