With defeat looming large, the Pakistani occupation army aided by their local collaborators -- Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams -- abducted frontline intellectuals and professionals on December 14, 1971 and killed them to cripple the nation intellectually.

The killers dragged renowned academics, teachers, litterateurs, doctors, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities blind-folded out of their houses and killed them before dumping the bodies in Rayerbazar, Mirpur and other killing fields.

Different socio-cultural organisations and political parties observed the day through various programmes, including seminars, discussion and silent processions. They hoisted black flag and the national flag at half-mast to commemorate the martyred intellectuals.

Thousands of people, including teachers, students, freedom fighters, party activists, professionals and members of the martyred intellectuals' families, visited the Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum at Mirpur and Rayerbazar Mausoleum and placed wreaths with due respect to the martyrs.

President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed placed wreaths at Mipur Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum at 7:00am yesterday. As a mark of respect he stood in solemn silence for sometime while bugles played the last post.

Advisers to the caretaker government, Dhaka City Corporation mayor, president's adviser, secretaries and high officials, among others, were present.

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Dhiraj Kumar Nath paid floral tribute to the intellectuals at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum and Rayerbazar Mausoleum.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia placed wreaths at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum at 7:30am.

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum and Rayerbazar mausoleum in the morning.

Major political parties including BNP, AL, Liberal Democratic Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Workers Party, different factions of Jatiya Party, Gono Forum and Bangla Academy, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and other socio-cultural organisations arranged various programmes to mark the day.

Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz along with the teachers and students placed wreaths at the mausoleum at Mirpur.

From early morning yesterday, members of the martyrs' family, representatives of different political parties, social, cultural and professional organisations paid tributes to the martyrs at the Mirpur mausoleum.

Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee, Jahangirnagar University, National University, Open University, different halls of DU, Bangladesh Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Parishad, Gono Sanghaty and Bangladesh Chhatra Union placed floral wreaths there.

Bangladesh Jubo Moitree, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitree, Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra, Sramik Karmachari Oikyo Parishad, Bangladesh Medical Association, Doctors Association of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Lalitakala Academy, Sonar Bangla Jubo Parishad, Jatiya Sramik League, Jubo Sramik League, Jatiya Party, Bangabandhu Lalitakala Academy and Bangabandhu Shangskritik Jote also placed wreaths at the Mirpur mausoleum.

People under the banner of Bikkhubdha Deshbashi (aggrieved countrymen) brought out a flag procession from the Central Shaheed Minar demanding stoppage of communal politics in the country and urged all to refrain from patronising the anti-liberation forces. They pledged to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and democracy.

Newspapers brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and different private television channels aired special programmes.