<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 48th martyrdom anniversary and the National Mourning Day.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As part of the state programme, the prime minister paid homage to the architect of the country's independence by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the great leader.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time, while the bugle played a tune of grief and somber to the last post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A munajat was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, flanked by senior Awami League (AL) leaders and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Sheikh Hasina, also AL President, placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, cabinet members and chiefs of army, navy and air forces, among others, were present on the occasion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From Dhanmondi, the premier later went to the Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russel and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 were laid to eternal rest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheikh Hasina also offered Fateha and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day is being observed across the country as National Mourning Day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu, his spouse Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, his three sons- Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel- and most of the family members of Bangabandhu and his three close relatives were assassinated in cold blood on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 by a group of disgruntled army men.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two daughters of Bangabandhu -- incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana -- could escape the carnage as they stayed abroad at that time. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>