Dhaka University teachers, students and staff, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam, paid homage to Liberation War martyrs early today by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in observance of Independence and National Day.

On the night of March 25, Jagannath Hall also observed Genocide Day with a symbolic display of bodies on its premises, and wreaths were placed at the hall’s mass grave, according to Provost Debashis Pal.

Special prayers were held at the hall’s temple as well for the departed souls of martyrs.

Wreaths were laid at Shaheed Minars across the university’s residential halls by hall administrations and student unions. At Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, the administration and hall union placed flowers at two mass graves, said general secretary Khaled Hasan.

Student organisations marked the day with various programmes and tributes. The Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal paid homage at the graves of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, offering Fateha and prayers. Bangladesh Chhatra Union and several left-leaning student organisations paid tribute at the memorial.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organised a rally in Dhaka. The procession began at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque around 10:00am and ended with a brief gathering at Shahbagh, passing through Paltan, the National Press Club, and Matsha Bhaban intersection.