Tribute timing gets wrong

Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain did not get to pay homage to late President Md Zillur Rahman on schedule on Thursday.

The coffin arrived at the Bangabhaban at 1:05pm and it was placed on the northern side of the lawn where a smart group of armed forces personnel gave him military salute.

There, Acting President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid last respects along with other important state functionaries.

Then the Chief Justice’s name was announced, but he did not apparently arrive there until then.

After a few minutes, Chief Whip of Parliament Abdus Shahid paid respect on behalf of Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, followed by others.

Then the coffin was taken to the Darbar Hall of the presidential palace. Justice Muzammel Hossain laid wreath on the President’s coffin at around 2pm.

Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam told bdnews24.com: “We were told that important individuals including the Acting President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice will be paying their respects to the President between 1:45pm and 3pm. That’s why we arrived at the Bangabhaban at 1:35pm.”

The programme schedule provided by the government on Wednesday also confirmed Shamsul Islam’s remarks.

Opposition Leader in Parliament Khaleda Zia arrived at Bangabhaban at 2:05pm. She along with party leaders paid tributes at the Darbar Hall.

Earlier, at 1:22pm it was announced that BNP Chairperson would pay tributes on the lawn. “We are waiting for the opposition chief,” it was announced.

The coffin was taken to Darbar Hall at 1:27pm as she was not around at that time.

Zillur Rahman breathed his last at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore Wednesday afternoon after fighting for 11 days. A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the President’s mortal remains had landed at the Shahjalal International Airport at 12pm.

A car draped in the national flag and decorated with red and white flowers carried the coffin to Bangabhaban from the airport at around 1pm in a motorcade.