The people of Chattogram paid deep respects to the language martyrs on the occasion of International Mother Language Day. In the early hours of February 21, a large gathering of people from all walks of life gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the port city to honor the heroes.
The formal tribute began at 12:01 am on Thursday, February 20, with the placing of wreaths by Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain. This marked the reopening of the Shaheed Minar to the public after four years.
Due to renovation work, all official ceremonies had been suspended at the Shaheed Minar since 2021. While the construction was completed in 2023, the entrance remained closed due to objections from cultural workers regarding the design.
After 11 pm on Thursday, people from various organizations and professions began arriving at the Shaheed Minar with flowers in hand to pay their respects. The air was filled with the iconic song “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulitey Pari?” as a tribute to the martyrs.
The formal ceremony began with an armed salute from the police at 12:01 am. Following Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain’s wreath-laying, officials from various government agencies paid their tributes, including Chattogram Division Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, Chattogram Range Police DIG Ahsan Habib Palash, Police Superintendent Md. Saiful Islam, and District Commissioner Farida Khanam.
After the formal tributes, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the general public, and a large number of people continued to gather to honor the martyrs. Various organizations, including the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), District Council, Ansar-VDP District Command Office, Forest Department, and Fire Service, also paid their respects.
