Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, a red-letter day to restore democracy in the country, is being observed on Friday in a befitting manner.

On this day in 1987, Awami Jubo League leader Noor Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with the slogans "free democracy" and "down with autocracy", embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration at Zero Point in the city, now known as Shaheed Noor Hossain Square.

Jubo League leader Nurul Huda Babul and Krishak League leader Aminul Huda Tito of Bajitpur in Kishoreganj were also killed in police firings during the mass movement for the restoration of democracy against the autocratic rule General HM Ershad.

The martyrdom of Noor Hossain and others during the mass upsurge of late 1990 expedited the anti-autocracy movement. In the face of the movement, the then-autocratic ruler had to step down on December 6, 1990.

Since then, the day has been observed every year as Shaheed Noor Hossain Day.

Different socio-cultural and professional organizations, as well as the ruling Awami League, have taken up elaborate programs to observe the day in a befitting manner.