Hasina urges countrymen to observe Mourning Day

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called on the countrymen to observe the National Day of Mourning on 15 August, the death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"I request you to observe the National Day of Mourning on 15 August with due dignity and solemnity. Pray for the forgiveness of souls by offering floral wreaths to the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban," she said in a statement posted by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy on his verified Facebook page tonight.

This is her first statement after fleeing the country on 5 August where she demanded an investigation into the killings, vandalism and arson carried out in the name of agitation.

She also demanded that the culprits be identified and brought to justice.

Conveying sympathy to the bereaved families she said,"Since July, lots of lives have been lost in violence, arson in the name of protests. I express my condolences and prayers for the victims, including students, teachers, police, journalists, cultural activists and a pregnant police woman, members of Awami League and its associate bodies, pedestrians and various professionals."

In her statement, Hasina recalled the massacre of August 15, 1975 when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated.

Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, also expressed grief over the vandalism and arson at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 and sought justice from country's people.

SKB