Barguna Sadar Correspondent

July Martyrs' Day was observed across Barguna on Thursday with due solemnity, profound respect, and a series of commemorative programs. The day's events commenced in the morning with the laying of wreaths at the July Monument located on the Barguna Circuit House premises.

Barguna Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Ms. Taslima Akter paid floral tributes to honour the martyrs.

Wreaths were also laid by Superintendent of Police Kudrat-e-Khuda, Civil Surgeon Dr. Abul Fattah, Zila Parishad Administrator and District BNP Convener Nazrul Islam Molla, PP Nurul Amin, District BNP Member Secretary Humayun Hasan Shahin, former District BNP Vice President and valiant freedom fighter Saleh Faruque, BNP leader Advocate Wasi Matin, and Barguna Press Club President Hafizur Rahman. Former Press Club President and senior journalist Monir Hossain Kamal, alongside various local political leaders, social activists, and print media professionals, were also present to pay their respects.

The tribute ceremony was further attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Animesh Biswas, Additional District Magistrate Sajal Chandra Shill, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Rathindranath Biswas, the Deputy Director of the Local Government Division, the District Fisheries Officer, the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, and other senior departmental officials. Following the wreath-laying, a few minutes of solemn silence was observed to honor the memory of the martyrs of the July mass uprising, followed by special prayers seeking the eternal peace of their departed souls.

Later, at 11:00 AM, a memorial discussion was organized at the Deputy Commissioner's office. Alhaj Nurul Islam Moni, Chief Whip of the National Parliament and a four-time MP from the Barguna-2 constituency, joined the session virtually as the chief guest. Zila Parishad Administrator Nazrul Islam Molla attended as the special guest, while Barguna-1 Member of Parliament Oliullah joined via telephone to deliver a brief speech.

Speakers at the discussion highlighted that the supreme sacrifice of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, during the quota reform movement on July 16, 2024, marked a defining chapter in the history of the country's democratic movements. His martyrdom catalyzed nationwide protests that ultimately culminated in the mass uprising. To immortalize that profound sacrifice, the current government officially declared July 16 as 'July Martyrs' Day.'

Barguna Deputy Commissioner Ms. Taslima Akter directed all educational institutions across the district to hold special discussion sessions to mark the day. She also urged all madrasas in the district to organize dedicated memorial meetings and prayer sessions (doa mahfil) at their convenience to honor the martyrs of the July uprising.

The speakers concluded by calling upon everyone to uphold the spirit of the martyrs' sacrifices and work collectively to establish democracy, justice, and humanitarian values in society.