By Engr Mamun Islam
RANGPUR, Dec 15, 2020 (BSS) – The historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu in 1971 instantly united the Bangalees irrespective of caste, creed and religion to take ultimate preparation for the War of Independence.
Talking to BSS, gallantry award winner freedom fighter Shawkat Ali Sarker, Bir Bikram, of Chilmari upazila town in Kurigram said this, recollecting his memories during the War of Liberation.
The Bangalee people under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was forging the ultimate rock-solid unity for the independence to get of rid of injustice, deprivation, exploitation and torture in 1971.
A young Shawkat passed B. Com. Examinations in 1969 when the Bangalees were in the unprecedented noncooperation movement against the Pakistani regime.
Shawkat, second among nine kids of late Ezab Uddin Sarker and late Shoritan Nesa, of village Dakshin Wari (Haservita) in Chilmari upazila in Kurigram, then was to search for a job.
But, the political situation was not in favour of the Bangalees.
Shawkat, now 72, said the Pakistani army cracked down on innocent people at night on March 25 in 1971 to eliminate Bangalees through genocide, arson attack, rape, torture and abuse as per their heinous plans.
Shawkat, a brave son of this soil, could no longer control himself.
“Being inspired by the directions for the War of Independence given by Bangabandhu in his March 7 speech, I left home to protect the honour of our motherland,” he said.
He joined the War of Liberation in Roumari area, separated by the Brahmaputra from mainland, in the beginning of the war.
Shawkat said, “One platoon Bangalee soldiers of the 3rd Bengal Regiment in Saidpur cantonment, with heavy rocket launchers and light machine guns came to Roumari by river route via Palashbari of Gaibandha.”
Freedom fighters Sadakat Hossain Chhakku Mian and Nurul Islam Pappu started conducting training of youths at Roumari under leadership of Subedar Altaf Hossain.
After completing training at Roumari, youths from Gaibandha, Tangail and Sirajganj started participating in various operations as heroic freedom fighters across the country.
Roumari remained occupation free under Sector No- 6 during the War of Liberation as a safe haven for training of freedom fighters and the Pakistani army could never arrive there.
Knowing about Roumari safe zone for freedom fighters, the Pakistan army came to Chilmari in the mainland by train and built a strong base there.
Shawkat participated in dozens of warfare, including the Kodalkati, Chilmari, Kamarjani, Tarabar Ghat and Hatia frontal battles and many guerrilla operations in 1971.
“We planned to attack the Pakistani army base at Chilmari on August 1 and created stiff resistance to break up their strong base. But, we had to retreat to Telipara Char,” he said.
“Later, Pakistani army started coming by gunboats to Telipara Char from Bahadurabad Ghat, trying to surround us from two sides. But, they could not survive to our strength,” Shawkat said.
Two days later, Pakistani army crossed the Brahmaputra with the help of their collaborators at Mohanganj and stayed at Bhelabari School camp in Kodalkati area of Rajibpur Thana.
“We took position in a drain next to the Pakistani army camp under the leadership of Subedar Altaf when firing started between the two sides at night and continued for a week,” Shawkat memorised.
“It was widely known as the ‘Kodalkati Battle’ when the Pakistani army was forced to retreat after intense firing from freedom fighters and suffering heavy casualties,” he said.
“Later, one beggar told us that the Pakistani army carried 200 to 250 bodies during the week-long battle,” he said, adding that 21 freedom fighters were martyred in the war.
After the successful guerrilla operation, we attacked Sundarganj Thana in Gaibandha and captured huge weapons.
Shawkat said the ‘Hatia Battle’ was significant warfare during the War of Liberation.
“The battle began at dawn on November 13. I led the attacks on Pakistani army with a 25-member group of freedom fighters. The occupation forces launched counter-attacks,” he added.
A number of freedom fighters were martyred in that battle where Shawkat was shot at his leg on that day.
The Pakistani army with their local collaborators then killed 697 innocent Bangalees at Dagarkuthi area in Hatia union of nearby Ulipur Thana in Kurigram.
“After getting initial treatments at Roumari, I went to Teldhala Medical Centre in India for advanced treatment and returned just before the country became independent,” Shawkat said.
“Wounds in my body have dried up, but, in my heart not yet as many war criminals and razakars are remain to be tried,” he said.
“Nevertheless, I have forgotten the hardships of those days to a little extent by punishing many Razakars in my own hands,” Shawkat added.
Shawkat is currently President of Chilmari Upazila Awami League and Chairman of Chilmari upazila parishad.