RANGPUR, Nov 28, 2018 (BSS) – November 29 a red letter day for the
Bangalees as the freedom fighters liberated Panchagarh town valiantly on that
day in 1971 defeating the occupation forces.
Freedom fighters and eyewitnesses said the triumphant freedom fighters,
political and students’ leaders hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh in
Panchagarh town at dawn on that day to celebrate the long-cherished taste of
ultimate victory.
Talking to BSS, eye-witness freedom fighter Ashraful Islam, 80, narrated
the emotional moment of entrance of the victorious freedom fighters and
allied forces to the district town.
“Thousands of jubilant men, women, adolescents, students and youths,
welcomed the entering triumphant freedom fighters and allied forces to the
town chanting slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ from all-around,” he said.
War-wounded freedom fighter Jahirul Islam said Panchagarh remained free
till April 16 as members of Police, Army, EPR and Ansar, farmers, workers,
political activists and students created stiff resistance against occupation
forces since March 25 crackdown.
“However, the occupation forces captured Panchagarh town on April 17,
1971, set up several camps at the then Panchagarh police station compound and
different areas of the town,” he said.
Soon after capturing Panchagarh, the occupation forces set up dozens of
camps at Talma, Goleha, Mirjapur, Atwari, Boda, Moidandighee, Sakoa, Jagdal,
Amarkhana and other places of the town.
The freedom fighters tactically shifted possessions from Panchagarh and
continued to fight against occupation forces from Tentulia, Chaulhati,
Kotgoachh, Thukrabari, Bhajanpur, Magurmari, Moynaguri, Debnagar, Brahmanpara
and other areas.
Freedom fighter Shaykhul Islam, 70, of Panchagarh said the Pakistani
forces with local collaborators continued to kill thousands of innocent
Bangalee, torture women and burn houses in the area in a medieval style until
its liberation on November 29.
“The freedom fighters started reorganising them after getting training
from neighbouring India and strengthened guerilla attacks and frontal battles
against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators,” he
said.
At one stage, the freedom fighters with Indian allied forces intensified
attacks with tanks and artillery forces from November 20, 1971 and started
capturing camps of the Pakistani occupation forces one after another.
“The freedom fighters captured Amarkhana camp of the occupation forces
on November 20, Jagdalhat on November 25, Shingpara on November 26, Talma on
November 27, and Panchagarh CO Office, Atwari, and Mirzapur camps on November
28,” Shaykhul added.
Freedom fighter Ayub Ali, 67, of Tentulia upazila said the freedom
fighters and allied forces completely defeated the occupation forces and
entered the liberated town of Panchagarh at dawn on November 29, 1971.
“Knowing the news, thousands of jubilant people from neighbouring areas
rushed to Panchagarh and rejoiced the liberation chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ and
‘Joy Bangabandhu’ slogans along with freedom fighters,” Ali said.
The Panchagarh district administration has taken elaborate programmes to
celebrate the Panchagarh Freedom Day-2018 in a befitting manner tomorrow.
Talking to BSS today, Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh Sabina Yasmin
said celebration of the auspicious day will begin with placing wreaths at the
mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the
morning.
Then, wreaths will be placed at the monument of martyred freedom
fighters on the‘Shaheed Muktijoddha Smritistambha’premises.
Later, an ‘Ananda Shobhayatra’ with participation of officials and
employees, freedom fighters, civil society members, students, teachers,
socio-cultural and political activists will be brought out on the streets.
“The district administration will host a luncheon for freedom fighters
followed by a discussion and colourful cultural function at Muktijoddha
Complex auditorium in Panchagarh town,” Sabina Yasmin added.