Bangladesh, March 24 -- The nation will observe Genocide Day in solemn remembrance of the brutal crackdown by the Pakistani occupation forces on unarmed Bengalis on the fateful night of March 25, 1971, carried out under the codename "Operation Searchlight".

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued special messages on the eve of the day. BSS report.

The government has planned various programmes at the state level to mark the day with due respect.

A one-minute symbolic 'blackout' will be observed nationwide tomorrow from 10:30 pm to 10:31 pm, a PID handout said here today.

Key installations (KPIs) and emergency establishments will be exempt from the programme.

Discussion and memorial programmes will...