Bangladesh will observe March 25 as ‘Genocide Day’ from this year, recognising the “atrocities” committed by the Pakistan army on civilians 46 years ago.

The Bangladesh cabinet has taken the decision in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday . On March 11, Bangladesh’s Parliament adopted a unanimous resolution to observe the day as Genocide Day. The proposal was forwarded by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

The then Pakistani military ruler Gen Yahia Khan ordered a brutal crackdown on protesters in Dhaka on March 25, 1971, after refusing to hand over power to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose Awami League party won the 1970 general election.

Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam said the ministry of foreign affairs has already started efforts to observe the day internationally.