Historic Mujibnagar Day today [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

Historic Mujibnagar Day today

Local April 17, 2017

The nation celebrates today the historic Mujibnagar Day, commemorating the formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh in 1971.
On April 17, 1971, senior Awami League leaders led by Tajuddin Ahmed gathered at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur in Kushtia formed the provisional government of Bangladesh.
The historic development took place 24 days after Pakistani occupation army’s crackdown on unarmed Bengalis on the ominous night of March 25, 1971.
Though not present there, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was made the first president of Bangladesh.
In the absence of Mujib, who was taken captive by the Pakistani occupation army on the midnight of March 25, 1971, Tajuddin led the War of Independence as the prime minister of the provisional government.
Syed Nazrul Islam was made the acting president.
The seven-member cabinet of provisional government included Khandker Moshtaque Ahmed as the minister of foreign affairs and law, Captain Muhammad Mansur Ali as the finance minister, and AHM Quamruzzaman as the minister for home, relief and rehabilitation.
Retired Colonel Muhammad Ataul Ghani Osmani, also member of national assembly, later General, was made the commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini.
The provisional government appointed retired Colonel Abdur Rob, also member of national assembly, later Major General, the chief of staff of Mukti Bahini.
The bordering village of Baiddyanathtala, famous for its mangos, was later renamed Mujibnagar after Sheikh Mujib who inspired the nation to fight for independence.
Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib swept the 1970 general election in the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, winning 160 out of 162 National Assembly seats of Pakistan and 288 of the 300 Provincial Assembly seats in the then East Pakistan.
AL, other political parties, socio-cultural organisations and NGOs have taken elaborate programmes marking the day.
National dailies would publish special supplements, Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private radio and television channels would broadcast special programmes to mark the day.
Ruling AL will celebrate the day throughout the day.
National and party flags will be flown at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi, and AL offices across the country at 6:00am.
AL leaders and activists will lay wreaths on Mujib’s portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:00am.
At Mujibnagar, the national flag would be hoisted at 6:00am.
Wreaths would be laid at the Mujibnagar Memorial at 10:00am, guard of honour would be presented at 10:15am and a discussion would be held at Sheikh Hasina Mancha at 10:30am.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader will be chief guest and presidium member Mohammad Nasim will chair the discussion to be addressed by other central and local leaders of the ruling party.