JOYPURHAT, Dec 13: While many districts of the country began to be liberated from the Pakistani occupiers in the early days of December 1971, Joypurhat was an exception. A continuous battle raged here for the full nine months. Jaipurhat was liberated from the Pakistani occupiers on December 14.
On this day, hundreds of freedom fighters, driving out the Pakistani invaders with chants of 'Joi Bangla', entered the Joypurhat Dak Bungalow through a shower of blank gunfire and amidst great jubilation, piercing the winter fog even before the dawn sky turned red. The occupying Pakistani army and their local collaborators, the Razakars and Al-Badrs, fled towards Bogura and Ghora Ghat to save their lives.
The grounds of the Jaipurhat Dak Bungalow shook with the 'Joi Bangla' slogans of the brave freedom fighters. Amidst the collective voice singing 'Amar Sonar Bangla', the first victory flag of independence, a flag bearing the golden map of Bangladesh, was hoisted by the late freedom fighter commander Khondaker Asaduzzaman Bablu (Bagha Bablu).
This freedom came at the cost of many parents and siblings. Many, having lost their loved ones, remain petrified in grief. While many districts started becoming free from early December, the war continued in Joypurhat. For nine months, members of the occupying forces carried out brutal torture and massacres here.
Over ten thousand people, brought from various parts of the country, were stabbed with bayonets and shot dead at Pagla Dewan in Joypurhat. Here lie countless unknown sons of mothers. Pagla Dewan is the largest killing field in the northern region. An abandoned bunker of the Pakistani army here still bears the grim memories of the horrific massacre. Many who survived this brutal massacre still carry those painful memories.
Additionally, at the Karoi-Kadirpur Village, the Pakistani army and their local collaborators, the Razakar and Al-Badr forces, shot dead 371 artisan potters (blacksmiths and potters). A killing field exists there as well.
To commemorate this day of victory, a 71-foot-high victory monument has been erected on the Shaheed Dr. Abul Kashem ground in Joypurhat.
The people of Joypurhat remember this day of liberation from the Pakistani occupiers on December 14 by laying wreaths at the Pagla Dewan and Karoi-Kadirpur memorials and organising discussion meetings.
Furthermore, the district administration has taken up various programmes to celebrate the Victory Day on December 16 with due dignity.
