GAIBANDHA, DEC 07, 2023 (BSS)-On this day in 1971, valiant freedom fighters (FFs) liberated Gaibandha town defeating the Pakistani occupation forces who entered into the Gaibandha town on April 17 in 1971 and stationed themselves at wireless office and then Helal Park now Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium.

A team of FFs over 350 led by Company Commander Mahbub Elahi Ranju, BirProtik, from Kalasonarchar via Balashighat entered the town through Pulbandi area with great joy and pride bearing the flag of independent Bangladesh and shaking hands with the people standing on both the sides of the streets.

Then, the FFs gathered at Independence Square formerly known as SDO (Sub Division Officer) Math, of the town here in the morning at 9 am and heaved a sigh of relief while they were enjoying the taste of freedom after months of struggle.

Among others, FFs MominulHaqueJubel, Wasiqur Mohammad Ikbal Maju, Mahmudul Haque Sahjada, Mujibul Haque Sana, Raza Miah, Sirajul Islam, Imam Hossain, Dhiru Miah and Imdadul Haque Bablu accompanied the team.

As the news spread, the people of Gaibandha town rushed to the ground, rejoiced liberation of their motherland by chanting slogans ‘Joy Bangla’ with the FFs and gave reception to the FFs for their heroic achievement.

Earlier, the FFs under sub-sector number 11 fought against the Pakistani army and their local collaborators in several battles at different places including Nandina, Madarganj, Trimohini, Gobindi Embankment, Ratanpur, Sluice Gate, Bhangamour, Mohimaganj and Kalasonar Char areas of the district in last nine months.

In the face of joint attack by the FFs and the Indian allied forces, the Pakistani occupation forces were defeated and finally, they retreated from Gaibandha town on the night of December 06 and took shelter at Rangpur and Bogra Cantonments.

And thus, the Gaibandha town was liberated from the hands of Pakistan Army on this day in 1971, said Mahbub Elahi Ranju, BirProtik.

Businessmen Mazibar Rahman and Ranga Miah of Purbapara and Kalachand Saha of Puratan Bazar were embraced martyrdom at first, among others, as they were shot dead by the enemy forces on April 18, a day just after camping here, said former commander of Bangladesh Muktijodha Sangshad, district unit command, Mahmudul Haque Sahjada.

During the War of Liberation, Pakistani army with the help of local collaborators indiscriminately killed many other innocent and unnamed people, raped scores of women and young girls at camps and looted valuables from the houses in the district.

In the morning around 11 am, a grand rally organized by the Gaibandha Hanadar Mukta Dibash Udjapan Committee was brought out from Parbapara and ended at Independence Square after parading the main roads of the town in cooperation with local district administration.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Nahid Rasul formally inaugurated the rally as chief guest.

Later, a discussion was also held at the stage of Independence Square of the town with freedom fighter Mahmudul Haque Sahjada, coordinator of the committee in the chair.

ADC Sushanta Kunar Mahato addressed the function as chief guest while Mahbub Elahi Ranju, BirProtik, was the chief discussant at the meeting while freedom fighter Reazul Haque Chowdhury conducted the function as moderator.

Convener of the committee Wasikar Md. Ikbal Maju and freedom fighter Ali Akbar addressed the function among others.  

A large number of FFs and their children including journalists participated the programmes.