Nation to observe 1-minute blackout March 25 night

Like every year, the entire country will observe a minute of blackout on March 25 night.

In memory of the genocide of March 25, 1971, a symbolic blackout will be observed across the country from 10:30pm to 10:31pm, except for emergency facilities.

However, KPIs and emergency facilities will be exempt from this programme. Last year, this programme was observed from 11:00pm to 11:01am.

The decision was made at a recent inter-ministerial meeting on the formulation and implementation of national programmes to mark the observance of Genocide Day on March 25 and the celebration of Independence and National Day on March 26.

The meeting was presided over by Adviser on Liberation War Affairs Farooq-e-Azam. This information was revealed from the minutes of the meeting.

The minutes also state that the blackout will not apply to foreign missions in Bangladesh.

On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani army carried out a massive massacre in Dhaka through a barbaric military operation called 'Operation Searchlight'. In the darkness of the night of March 25, the Pakistani occupying forces carried out the massacre throughout Dhaka.

In addition, the inter-ministerial meeting decided that under no circumstances should important government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings and establishments be illuminated on the night of March 25.

In other years, the arms exhibition is held from March 23 to March 31. It was also decided in the meeting that there will be no arms exhibition this year.