Dr Milon Day today

Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, the then joint secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), was shot dead on his way to a meeting against the autocratic ruler Ershad on this day in 1990.

Different organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including placing of wreaths at mazar of Dr Milon and discussions on the occasion.

Shaheed Dr Milon Sangsad will place wreaths at his grave at 8.00am and later at the corner of Dhaka University (DU) library where he was shot dead. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will also place wreaths.

The Sangsad will organise a discussion on the life of Dr Milon on the Dhaka University Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) premises at 4.00pm.

Bangladesh Awami League, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), JSD and 11-party alliance have also taken up separate programmes to observe the day.

Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil called upon the people from all walks of life to observe the day.

Iajuddin Ahmed

UNB adds, President Iajuddin Ahmed in a message yesterday said the contributions of Dr Milon, an illustrious son of the soil, will remain ever shining in history of Bangladesh democracy.

He said, "Bullets of the killers took his life on November 27, 1990 and his martyrdom had intensified the movement, paving the way for restoring democracy."

The nation remembers Milon's contributions with deep respect as the importance of the day is limitless in reestablishing people's democratic rights, Iajuddin said.

Khaleda Zia
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon all to forge greater national unity shunning all differences for protecting democracy as well as for national uplift.

In a message on the eve of Dr Shaheed Milon Day, she paid rich tributes to the memory of Shaheed Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon.

The Prime Minister said: "The nation recalls with deep respect Dr Milon's supreme sacrifice during the anti-autocracy mass movement in 1990. His self-sacrifice turned the mass movement into a mass upsurge paving the way for the downfall of the autocratic regime."

She prayed for peace of the departed soul of Dr Milon.

Sheikh Hasina
In another message, Awami League President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina said the objectives for which Dr Milon shed his blood -- to make Bangladesh a non-communal, democratic and prosperous country -- are yet to be materialised.

Paying tributes to Shaheed Dr Milon, she called upon all to come forward to help end the "misrule of the present government" for establishing the people's constitutional, democratic and human rights.