DHAKA, Nov 26, 2021 (BSS) - Shaheed Dr Milon Day will be observed across
the country tomorrow commemorating the 31st martyrdom anniversary of Dr
Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, the then joint secretary general of Bangladesh
Medical Association (BMA).

   Dr Milon, who was also a lecturer of Dhaka Medical College (DMC), was
killed by the goons of military junta near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC)
of Dhaka University at the height of anti-autocracy movement on the day in
1990.

   The supreme sacrifice of Dr Milon transformed the anti-autocracy movement
into a mass upsurge that prompted the fall of the then autocratic regime
paving the way for restoration of democracy in the country.

   On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina issued separate messages recalling the supreme sacrifice of Dr Milon
for the cause of restoration of democracy.

   In his message, the President expected that the new generation will
involve themselves in the democratic practice being imbued with the ideology
of Dr Milon.

   "Democracy and development are complementary to each other. In order to
ensure sustainable development, the progress of democracy must also be
accelerated," he said.

    The President said Dr Milon was a bright star in democratic movement of
Bangladesh. Democracy was restored in 1990 in exchange of sacrifice of many
people's lives like Dr Milon's.

    Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, paid rich tribute to the
memory of Dr Milon on his 31st martyrdom anniversary.

    She said Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon is one of the main leaders in the
anti-autocracy movement in the 1990s, adding, "The anti-autocracy movement
got new speed through the supreme sacrifice of Dr Milon."

    "On the day the emergency was declared, but denying the emergency and
curfew, students and mass people brought out processions on the streets
several times. Later the autocratic ruler was forced to step down and
democracy was restored," Sheikh Hasina said.

    Apart from Dr Milon, she said, many democracy-loving people, including
Jubo League leader Nur Hossain, Nurul Huda, Babul and Fattah had to sacrifice
their lives for the movement for restoring democracy.

   President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal
peace of the departed soul of Dr Milon.

   Different political parties, socio-cultural organisations and professional
bodies have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

   Like previous years, Awami League is expected to observe Milon Day
tomorrow commemorating the 31st martyrdom anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan
Milon.

   The programmes include offering Fateha and special prayers, placing
wreaths at the grave of Dr Milon on the Dhaka Medical College campus and at
Milon Smrity Chattar (Square) near TSC of Dhaka University and holding
discussions.