Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid their homage to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Shaheed Minar seven minutes before the clock struck 12:00midnight, while President Abdul Hamid reached the Central Shaheed Minar five minutes before the zero hour.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar together in slow pace as the immortal song on Amar Ekushey—‘Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February’—was playing.

The President was the first to lay the wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar. Just after the President, the Prime Minister placed the wreath at the Shaheed Minar.

They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.

Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior Awami League leaders, high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

On his arrival at the Shaheed Minar, the President was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman.

Flanked by cabinet members and senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, later placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of the party.