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Freedom Day celebrated in Gaibandha, Meherpur 

Published : Sunday, 8 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1138
Our Correspondents
 
Freedom Day of Gaibandha and Meherpur districts were celebrated on Friday and Saturday.

GAIBANDHA: Gaibandha Freedom Day was observed on Saturday. On this day, Dec 7, in 1971, valiant freedom fighters (FFs) liberated Gaibandha Town, defeating the Pakistan occupation forces who had taken control of the area on April 17, 1971. 
The Pakistani forces had initially stationed themselves at the Wireless Office and later at Helal Park, now Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium.  

Led by Company Commander Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik, a team of over 350 FFs entered the town through the Pulbandi area via Kalasonarchar and Balashighat. 

Waving the flag of independent Bangladesh, the fighters were greeted with cheers and handshakes from residents lining the streets. 

The FFs then gathered at Independence Square around 9am, celebrating their victory after months of intense battles.  

The liberation was marked by joyful chants of "Joy Bangla" as the townspeople joined the FFs to celebrate their heroic achievement. 

Prominent fighters in the group included Mahmudul Haque Sahzada, Wasiqur Mohammad Ikbal Mazu, Mujibul Haque Sana, Raza Miah, Sirajul Islam, Imam Hossain, Dhiru Miah, and Imdadul Haque Bablu.  

Prior to the liberation, freedom fighters under Sub-Sector 11 engaged in several battles with Pakistani forces and local collaborators at key locations, including Nandina, Madarganj, Trimohini, Gobindi Embankment, Ratanpur, Sluice Gate, Bhangamour, Mohimaganj, and Kalasonar Char. 

A joint attack by the FFs and Indian allied forces ultimately forced the Pakistani troops to retreat on the night of December 6, taking shelter at Rangpur and Bogra cantonments. 
 
The victory, however, came at a heavy cost. On April 18, just a day after the Pakistani forces had set up camp, local businessmen Mazibar Rahman, Ranga Miah, and Kalachand Saha were among the first martyrs, shot dead by the enemy forces.
 
During the occupation, the Pakistani army, aided by local collaborators, committed atrocities, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians, raping of women, and looting of properties. 
 
To commemorate the town's liberation, the Gaibandha Hanadar Mukta Dibash Udjapan Parishad (GHMDUP), in cooperation with the district administration, organized a discussion meeting at the Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium. The event was chaired by GHMDUP Coordinator and renowned freedom fighter Mahmudul Haque Shahzada.
  
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chowdhury Muazzam Ahmed attended the programme as the chief guest while Superintendent of Police (SP) Mosarrof Hossain was present as the special guest. Other speakers included GHMDUP Convener Wasiqur Mohammad Iqbal Mazu, Sadar UNO Mahmud Al Hasan, former Sadar Upazila Muktijoddha Commander Ali Akbar Miah, and freedom fighter Mohammad Ali. 
 
DC Chowdhury Muazzam Ahmed, in his speech, highlighted the War of Independence as a glorious chapter in Bangladesh's history, achieved through immense sacrifices. 

"Around three million people were killed, most during the genocide carried out by the Pakistani army," he said. The DC praised the freedom fighters as the "golden sons of the soil" and urged vigilance against conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the nation.  

The programme was attended by a large number of freedom fighters, their descendants, journalists, and dignitaries, honoring the bravery and sacrifices that led to the liberation of Gaibandha.  



MEHERPUR: Meherpur Freedom Day was celebrated with various programmes on Friday. 

On   December 6, 1971 Meherpur was liberated from the brutal occupation of the Pakistani army. 

On the occasion, DC, SP started the days programmes by  placing floral wreaths at the memorial located at Meherpur College intersection.

DC Sifat Mehnaz, SP Maksuda Akter Khanom and the freedom fighters of the District Command Council participated in the wreath-laying ceremony and laid floral wreaths.  At this time, prayers were offered for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyred freedom fighters. 

Later, a procession was brought out under the leadership of DC Sifat Mehnaz. The procession paraded the main road of the city and ended on the District Shilpakala Academy premises. 

After the end of the rally, the national flag was hoisted, and, a discussion meeting was held in the District Shilpakala Academy hall. Freedom fighters, along with officials and employees of various departments of the district, participated in these programmes.



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