The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Central Shaheed Minar here in the port city and its adjoining areas turned into a human sea following unprecedented turnout of citizens for paying homage to the language veterans at the first hour of the "Amar Ekushey" and the International Mother Language Day (IMLD).

Different political parties, public servants, professional groups and scores of socio cultural organizations marched barefooted for placing wreaths at the foot of the monument erected in memory of the language veterans.

Acting Mayor of the port city M Manzur Alam first placed floral wreaths at the sheed Minar at 12:01 a.m. followed by Commissioner of Chittagong division Hossain Jamil, Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan police M Akbar Ali, Deputy Commissioner Ashraf Shamim, Bangladeh Awami league, Chittagong Press Club and Chittagong Union of Journalists, Chittagong District Bar Association.

Meanwhile Vice Chancellor of the Chittagong University Professor M Badiul Alam accompanied by a large group of teachers, officers and employees placed wreaths at Central Saheed Minar of the university at 12:01 am Elaborate programs were thrown to mark the occasion. The events included marching barefooted and placing of wreath at Saheed Minar, painting and essay competition, recitation of poems, discussion meeting, book fair and cultural function.

Chittagong City Corporation honored six distinguished personalities with Ekushey Award at Theatre Institute of Chittagong.

Chittagong Group Theater Forum hosted a two-day street drama festival at the premises of central Shaheed Minar to mark International Mother Language Day. Besides, Theater Institute Chittagong (TIC) staged popular drama of martyred Munir Chowdhury ' Kabor' at its Laboratory Theater podium this morning.

On the other hand, Rotaract Club of Chittagong Port City organized a painting competition with the slogan 'Amar Ekush, Amar Ahonkar' at city's DC Hill premises on Friday morning.

A discussion on Amar Ekushey was also held at the auditorium of Chittagong Press Club yesterday. Chittagong Press Club and Chittagong Union of Journalists jointly organized the discussion in observance of International Mother Language Day. [The End]

Lead: EC won't compromise its impartiality-CEC Chittagong Correspondent Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said here today that the Election Commission had been impartial and it would not lose its basic stand under any circumstances.

He said that two factions of the BNP had been fighting to establish supremacy upon each other where the commission had little to do. "The warring groups have to solve their problems or to wait for the High Court verdict," he said.

The Chief Election Commissioner was responding the representatives of the mass media after physical inspection of two electronic imaging units here at Patia.

Responding a question on inviting both factions of the BNP to the government sponsored dialogue; he said that inviting both factions would be tantamount to favoring the BNP.

"If the commission's look to the BNP is such, what the commission will deal with the four factions of the Jatiya Party, five factions of the Islami Okiya Jote (IOJ) and two groups of the Workers Party?" he made counter question.

He reaffirmed that the EC would not compromise its impartiality by doing favor to any quarter while the electoral reforms would not be finalized before sitting with the party.

The CEC further said, "We won't talk to any party except the mainstream one whether it is big or small. The mainstream of BNP will be determined by the High court verdict. We'll have to wait until then."

The CEC claimed that the draft voter list would be published by June 30 next and the election would take place by December this year as per the roadmap or even earlier if possible.

Divisional Deputy Election Commissioner Ejharul Haq and District Election Officer Dulal Talukder accompanied the CEC during his visit.