JASHORE, Dec 5, 2022 (BSS) - Jashore Free Day is tomorrow as on the day (December 6, 1971) the green-red flag was hoisted marking the symbol of victory as Jashore being the first district was liberated from the clutch of Pakistani occupation forces.

To observe the day, a colourful rally will start from Town Hall Maidan around 9am and end at the Bangabandhu Mural in the town by placing wreaths, said Hellol Chakma, assistant commissioner (Nezarat deputy collectorate) of Jashore deputy commissioner's office.

It was mid-day on December 6, the valiant Freedom Fighters along with the Indian forces started entering Jashore chanting victory slogans to the highest pitch of their voice. By the afternoon, the victors reached Jashore cantonment, but the Pakistani Army being tipped-off earlier left there beforehand.

"On March 3, 1971, the people of the district by hoisting the flag of Bangladesh in front of the Collectorate Building took oath to free the motherland from the occupation forces," Deputy Chief of Mujib Bahini (Greater Jashore) Rabiul Alam told BSS.

The people put resistance against the Pakistani army on that day bringing out largely participated processions in the city, he said, adding that but, the Pakistani Army opened fire on the people, leaving one Charubala Dhar dead on the spot.

Following the killing of Charubala, who was the first martyr of the War of Liberation in Jashore, the people started further strengthening their resistance under the leadership of Sangram Parishad. Student, youth and women took army training to fight against the Pakistani occupation force to achieve their long-cherished victory.

On March 26, the Pakistan army picked up Mashiur Rahman, the then National Assembly Member, from his residence, took him to the cantonment and brutally killed there.

On March 30, Bengali soldiers at Jashore cantonment revolted, and engaged in a fierce fighting, in which many Bengali soldiers including Lieutenant Anwar embraced martyrdom.

107 brigade of the Pakistani Army took the command of Jashore cantonment under Brigadier Hayat Khan to control six districts.

However, Jashore was under the sector eight during the War of Liberation with Colonel Abu Osman Chawdhury being the first time sector commander.

Meanwhile, on March 31, a rally of thousands of people from Narail district moved to Jashore town and attacked Jashore Central Jail to free all prisoners with the help of locals.

On September 5, Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Sheikh was killed by the then Pakistani army in a war at Goalhati in Jhikargacha-Sharsha frontier area of Jashore.

In July, the War of Liberation got a lift when the trained Freedom Fighters started to ambush the positions of Pakistani army in the areas.

On November 20, the Freedom Fighters along with the Indian force encircled the Chougachha base of Pakistani Army, the strongest base in the western zone.

Later, on November 22, the Chougachha base had fallen to the joint forces after a heavy fighting.

On December 5 and 6, the joint forces launched final attacks on the Pakistani Army, who soon fled to Khulna after being unable to coup with the joint forces of Freedom Fighters and Indian army.

On December 6 afternoon, the Mukti Bahini took control of the Jashore town and in the evening they brought out a victory procession.