BSS-34 Patriotic people urged to support nation-building activities

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ZCZC

BSS-34

RAJSHAHI-FREEDOM-DAY (with picture)

Patriotic people urged to support nation-building activities

RAJSHAHI, Dec 18, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers at a public meeting today
urged all patriotic people to extend their wholehearted support
towards the nation-building process to take the nation forward
successfully.

The present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership
of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for
overall development of the nation. So, all the conscious people should
supplement the government endeavors.

They came up with the observation while addressing the meeting
hosted by Rajshahi Press Club at its premises this afternoon to mark
the day of Rajshahi’s freedom from the Pakistani occupation forces.

Valiant Freedom Fighters Proshanta Shaha, Anwar Iqbal, Dr Shahadat
Hossain Raoshan and Abdus Sattar addressed the meeting sharing their
memories of the war of liberation, with President of the press club
Saidur Rahman was in the chair.

Proshanta Shaha told the audience that Rajshahi was freed on this
day, two days after the country’s victory in its Liberation War.

Geias Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Bir Bikrom, then army captain and
commander of sub-sector-4 under sector-7, declared Rajshahi’s freedom
from the Pakistani occupation forces, hoisting the flag of independent
Bangladesh at Madrassa Maidan in the afternoon of December 18, 1971.

He said some freedom fighters entered the town in the evening of
December 17, 1971 and others at 8pm. At 12 midnight, Major Geias
reached the town. When the freedom fighters were arriving, the
Pakistani forces began falling back to Natore for their surrender, he
added.

Dr Shahadat Raoshan said Indian army, who were assisting the freedom
fighters, reached the town and set up tents in Rajshahi College field
in the morning on December 18.

The then people of the town had an outburst of emotions and
celebrated that morning. In the afternoon, a public meeting was held
at Madrassa Maidan.

Politicians Ataur Rahman of Rajshahi, Mesbahul Haque Bachchu of
Chapainawabganj, Shankar Govinda Chowdhury of Natore, Mainuddin Mandal
of Naogaon, Azharul Islam and Roisuddin spoke, among others, in the
meeting.

In the meeting, Major Geias hoisted the national flag and announced
that Rajshahi was free, Dr Raoshand added while elaborating his
memories.

On December 19, Rajshahi College was opened for the public and
people gathered there for exchanging greetings with the freedom
fighters and Indian Army.

The freedom fighters took two days to enter into Rajshahi as the
Pakistani forces set up booby traps around the town and damaged
bridges on the way into the town.

“Freedom fighters, assisted by locals, repaired the roads and
advanced forward. So their entry was delayed,” he said.

On December 20, the Pakistani army surrendered to the joint forces
in Uttara Gono Bhaban in Natore.

BSS/AH/MRU/2011hrs