Freedom Day observed in Gaibandha, Gopalganj

The Freedom Day of Gaibandha and Gopalganj districts was observed on Saturday amid much enthusiasm and in a befitting manner.
GAIBANDHA: On this day in 1971, valiant freedom fighters (FFs) liberated Gaibandha Town defeating the Pakistani occupation forces who entered here on April 17, 1971 and stationed themselves at wireless office and the then Helal Park, now Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium.
A team of over 350 FFs led by Company Commander Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik, from Kalasonar Char via Balashighat entered the town through Pulbandi area.
Then, they gathered at Independence Square, formerly known as Sub-Division Office ground, in the morning.
As the news spread, local people rushed to the ground, and rejoiced the liberation by chanting the slogan 'Joy Bangla'.
Earlier, the FFs under 11 no. sub sector fought against the Pakistani army and their local collaborators in several battles at different places, including Nandina, Madarganj, Trimohini, Gobindi Embankment, Ratanpur, Sluice Gate, Bhangamor, Mohimaganj and Kalasonar Char areas of the district for nine months.
In the face of joint attack by the FFs and the Indian allied forces, the Pakistani occupation forces finally retreated from Gaibandha Town on December 6 night and took shelter at Rangpur and Bogura cantonments.
And thus, the town was liberated from the hands of Pakistani army on this day in 1971, said Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik.
To mark the day, a rally organised by Gaibandha Hanadar Mukta Dibash Udjapan Committee (GHMDUC), was brought out from Purbapara in the morning and ended at Independence Square after parading the main roads of the town.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdul Matin formally inaugurated the rally as chief guest.
Later, a discussion meeting was held at the same place with Coordinator of GHMDUC FF Mahmudul Haque Shahjada in the chair.
DC Abdul Matin addressed the function as chief guest while Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik, was the chief discussant.
GOPALGANJ: Marking the day, local freedom fighters organised a rally and a discussion meeting on Saturday morning.
Besides, BD Clean, a private development organisation, placed wreaths at local Shaheed Minar to pay their respect for the martyred freedom fighters and civilians who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War.
On April 30, 1971, the Pakistani military with the help of local collaborators entered the district town. They first torched the house of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bank Para area of the district town and set ablaze hundreds of houses of Hindus in Swarnapatty, Sahapara, Shikderpara, Chourongi and Bazaar Road areas, and looted valuables.
The occupation force had taken many people including women to their mini cantonment at Sadar Upazila Parishad, where they killed the men and raped the women.
On December 6, freedom fighters in groups approached towards the district town that demoralised Pakistan soldiers' confidence, prompting them to flee early hours on December 7.
Later, the freedom fighters hoisted the red-green flag of Bangladesh and announced the district as independent.