The symbolic one-minute blackout planned for the night of March 25 to mark Genocide Day will not take place. Earlier on March 24 morning, a government information release had announced that the blackout would be observed across Bangladesh from 10:30 p.m. to 10:31 p.m. to commemorate the dark night of March 25, 1971. Key Point Installations, emergency facilities, and foreign missions in Bangladesh were to remain exempt from the program.

Later that night, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, M A Khayer, informed journalists that the blackout would not be held. He did not provide any explanation for the cancellation. The symbolic blackout was introduced during a previous Awami League government to honor the victims of the 1971 atrocities.

Last year, the symbolic blackout was observed from 10:00 p.m. to 10:01 p.m. nationwide. The reason for this year’s cancellation remains undisclosed.