Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, a red-letter day in restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, was observed today.
On this day in 1987, Noor Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with the slogan "Shoirachar Nipat Jaak, Ganotantro Mukti Paak" (Let dictatorship be destroyed, democracy be free), was gunned down when police opened fire on an anti-autocracy demonstration in the capital's Zero Point.
The place was renamed "Noor Hossain Chattar".
The martyrdom of Noor Hossain and others during the mass upsurge of late 1990s expedited the anti-autocracy movement. In face of the movement, autocratic ruler HM Ershad had to step down on Dec 6, 1990.
To observe the day in a befitting manner, different political, socio-cultural and professional organisations, as well as Bangladesh Awami League, observed elaborate programmes, local media reported.
