December-13 was Manikganj Liberation Day. On this day in 1971, the district (the then sub-division) was freed from the clutches of the occupation Pakistan Army and got taste of freedom. This day, freedom fighters hoisted national flag atop the Primary Training Institute (PTI) in the town. People from all walks of life of Manikganj district will celebrate the day today with various programmes.
Immediately after the crackdown ‘Oparation Search Light’ on March-25 in 1971, the Pakistani troops entered all the seven upazila headquarters in Manikgonj and captured Aricha Ferry ghat, PTI and important establishments. As the news spread, people from the adjacent villages rushed to the town and rejoiced over liberation of the area by chanting 'Joy Bangla' slogan with the freedom fighters.
Under the leadership of Captain Abdul Chowdhury, the freedom fighters formed a unity named ‘Biplobi Parisad’. On March 26, the members of Biplobi Parisad attacked the Manikganj Treasury and looted all the fire arms and ammunitions and distributed those to the freedom fighters on the premises of Captain Abdul Halim Chodhury’s cold store at South Sewta in the district town. The freedom fighters took position at Kouri village under Harirumpur Upazila 25 kilometers away from district town. Later, they were divided in many groups and engaged in fighting against the occupation forces in different areas.
Some 82 Pak soldiers were killed and 50 others were held with serious wound. Huge fire-arms and ammunitions were recovered in a fierce battle with freedom fighters at Golaidanga village in Singair Upazila on October 28. Two freedom fighters -- Alikar and Bodir lost their legs in the battle which was led by Engineer Tobarak Hossain Ludu, Lokman Hossain and Zahidur Rahman.
Mohammed Ibrahim, Freedom fighters of Gilondo village in Manikganj Sadar Upazila, who had made an operation lonely and blew up Siddhirganj power house. After the independence, Mohammed Ibrahim, the war hero was awarded the country's gallantry award ‘Bir Protik’ honors for his performances.
On December 13, 1971, Manikganj district was liberated from the clutches of Pakistani occupational forces, just three days before the final victory of the nation on December 16.
To keep the memory of the freedom fighters and martyrs, local unit of Muktijuddah Sangsad built a Liberation War Memorial titled ‘Muktijuddah Smiriti Saudha’ at Manikgonj Bus stand in 1993. It was, later, relocated and rebuilt in front of Shaheed Tapon-Miraj Stadium in the town.
The Monument bore only 35 names of martyrs but many others remain out of the Monument even now, the freedom fighters alleged.
Chaiman of Manikganj Zila Parishad and President of district Awami League, also a veteran freedom fighter Advocate Golam Mohiuddin whoever said full-fledged list of the freedom fighters was not prepared even after 46 years of Liberation War. The freedom fighters are ignored in the society, he added.
The programmes include taking out of colourful rally on December 13 morning, discussions on the War of Liberation and cultural functions, according to sources.
To mark the Manikganj free day on December 13, the Bijoy Mela has been holding for the last 32 years. Minister of Health and Family Welfare Alhaj Zahid Maleque Sawpan MP will formally inaugurate the 15-day Victory Fair by hoisting the national flag on December 13.
The programmes also included placing wreaths at the martyrs’ memorials and mass graves, bringing out of procession, staging drama by freedom fighters, according reception to selected freedom fighters, discussion meeting and cultural function.
Nilphamari-Free Day observed amid festivity
BSS from Nilphamari adds: Nilphamari Free Day was observed on Wednesday amid festivity and enthusiasm.
On this day in 1971, the valiant freedom fighters liberated Nilphamari by defeating the Pakistani occupation forces.
On the occasion of the historic day, the District Administration and Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan unit command organised a day-long programme in the district town.
Marking the day, Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan unit command of the district placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the district town in the morning.
District administration and Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command of the district took out a colorful rally from the Central Shaheed Minar of the district town that paraded the different roads.
Superintendent of Police Md Gholam Sabur, Deputy Director of Local Government Department Saifur Rahman, District Awami League President and Nilphamari Municipality Mayor Dewan Kamal Ahmed, District Awami League General Secretary and Zila Parishad Chairman Mumtazul Haque, Sadar Upazila Parishad Chairman Shahid Mahmud, Freedom Fighter Aminul Islam, Sadar Upazila Awami League President Abuzar Rahman, its General Secretary Wadud Rahman and Municipal Awami League President Mosfiqul Islam Rintu, among others, participated in the event.