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In Pictures: Bangladesh Victory Day

Political violence continues as Bangladesh celebrates the 42nd anniversary of independence from Pakistan.

Thousands formed a huge flag in Dhaka(***)s National Parade Ground as Bangladesh celebrated the 42nd anniversary of its independence.
By Mahmud Hossain Opu
Published On 18 Dec 2013

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Bangladesh celebrated the 42nd anniversary of independence from Pakistan on Monday – in an event known as Victory Day – as deadly political violence continues in the country. 

Previously known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh won independence in 1971 after a nine-month war. Bangladesh believes some 3 million people were killed and thousands of women raped in the civil war.

Victory Day celebrations are observed every year on December 16 but this year it has come after the hanging of opposition Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Mollah who was found guilty for crimes related to the country’s war of independence.

Monday’s event involved 27,117 volunteers from educational institutions, army and other civil bodies, who stood up with green and red cardboards to form a “human flag” in a bid to break a world record.

About 27,117 volunteers from educational institutions, army and other organisations, stood up with green and red cardboards to form a masive human flag.
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The participants stood for more than six minutes, one minute longer than the five-minute requirement for setting a new world record, according to reports.
Earlier on December 15 businessmen carrying white flags and calling for peace staged demonstrations against the violence unleashed by political activists in Bangladesh after the hanging of the opposition political leader.
The pro-peace march came at a time when the garment industry - the mainstay of the economy with four million employees - has been hard hit with some Western customers believed to be moving elsewhere.
Thousands sang the national anthem at a time when the country continues to remain on a razor’s edge with pre-poll tensions and opposition blockade calls paralysing normal life.
The Victory Day was celebrated amid turmoil in the impoverished nation where political violence is intensifying in the build-up to polls scheduled for next month. 
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Organisers of Monday’s gathering said that the celebrations show the inner strength and unity of the people of Bangladesh.