Today is the sixth day of December, the glorious Month of Victory.
On this day in 1971, the India and Bhutan acknowledged Bangladesh as a free and sovereign state.
And the freedom fighters and allied forces bravely liberated the Jashore and Kurigram districts by defeating and driving away the Pakistani occupation forces on this day in 1971.
The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared it in the parliament. Following this declaration, Pakistan cut all diplomatic relations with India.
Pakistan Election Commission suspended the by-polls in the then ‘East Pakistan’ now Bangladesh due to the Indo-Pakistan war. The election was meant to be held on December 7.
The freedom fighters took firm positions at Laksham, Akhaura, Chouddagram and Hili.
Pakistan army compelled to retreat. Within the evening, Akhaura and Shamsernagar in Sylhet officially came under the allied force’s control.
The runway of the Dhaka airport was completely destroyed by the allied air force’s bombing.
The 9th division of Pakistan army started to flee from the break of dawn.
A part of the division had to crossed Madhumati River as allied force base was on Jashore-Dhaka highway.
Another faction escaped via Kushtia. They tried to destroy all the bridges as they made an escape.
Soviet Union (USSR) for the second time placed veto against US’s ceasefire proposal of Indo-Pakistan war in the United Nations Security Council’s meeting.
A Soviet spokesperson said that the USSR has deep concern about the war in the subcontinent and it is related to USSR’s security interest.
An 11-member of the Security Council voted the US. Poland supports the USSR while France and Britain refrained from supporting either side.
Military Advisor to the Governor of East Pakistan Rao Farman Ali said that Pakistanis ready to fight defensive war against India. “I believe, our force can hold East Pakistan in the present situation,” he said.
Lieutenant Niazi ordered his force to move out from Jhenidah and to protect Dhaka.
He also ordered them to assemble near the bank of Meghna.
That was however impossible as allied force took control of Dhaka-Jashore highway. A faction of the allied force continued their advance towards Khulna and another team headed towards Kushtia.
On this day in 1971, the freedom fighters and allied forces bravely liberated the Kurigram and Jashore districts by defeating and driving away the Pakistani occupation forces.
Meanwhile, decisive fights of the freedom fighters and allied forces continued defeating and pushing back the occupation forces from different parts of the country since beginning of December, 1971.
And freedom fighters and allied forces’ all out fights everywhere across the country also started bringing the taste of ultimate liberty to the people of the country.
Marking the Kurigram Liberation Day, local administration, Kurigram district unit Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad (BMS), political parties and different socio-cultural organisations will observe the day in a befitting manner maintain health guidelines.
BSS adds: The flag of Independent Bangladesh was hoisted by the freedom fighters led by Company Commander Abdul Hye (Bir Pratik) on December 6 on the soil of Kurigram although the final national victory was not achieved till that date.
Jashore Free Day will be observed today as on the day, 1971, the green-red flag was hoisted for the first time here as the emblem of the victory defeating the Pakistani occupation forces, heralding a new era for Bangladesh people.
Former Kurigram district unit Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad (BMS) Sirajul Islam Tuku said the occupation forces lost moral courage in the fierce battles since December 1, 1971 in Kurigram town with the freedom fighters.
“The freedom fighters started conducting ceaseless attacks on the Pakistani occupation forces in Kurigram town from all sides after crossing the river Dharla from December 1 to December 5 causing huge casualties to the enemies,” he said.
The Pakistani occupation forces had to suffer casualties in those battles with the freedom fighters round the clock, especially on December 4 and 5, making the victory evident.
Freedom fighter Mohammad Shahabuddin said the Indian allied forces conducted air attacks on the Pakistani occupation forces in Kurigram town on December 5 breaking their backbone and forcing them to surrender or retreat.
“Failing to sustain the repeated fierce attacks of the freedom fighters and allied forces, the Pakistani occupation army started leaving Kurigram town by train since December 6 morning with firing in the air in fear of the freedom fighters,” he added.
Freedom fighter Harun Ar Rashid Lal said Kurigram was under sector-6 and sector-11 during the whole period of the War of Liberation and freedom fighter Abdul Hye (Bir Pratik) was the Company Commander of sub-sector No-1 under sector-6.
“During the War of Liberation, the training camp for the freedom fighters was located at the occupation free Roumari area that was detached from the mainland by the Brahmaputra,” he added.
Under the leadership of Hye, the Pakistani army’s strong bases began to collapse following the capture of their Bhurungamari, Nageswari, Chilmari and Ulipur camps by the freedom fighters one after another since the end of November.
“Finding no other alternative, the retreating Pakistani army then established their bases in Kurigram town and the freedom fighters decisively surrounded the town from all directions on December 6 and freed the Kurigram town,” Lal mentioned while talking in this regards.
Shawkat Ali Sarker (Bir Bikram) said the freedom fighters, who participated in the last moment battles to free Kurigram town 49 years ago, became impatient to cherish memory of those fierce battles and victories against the Pakistani occupation forces.
Thousands of emancipated people gathered on the victory march to welcome the triumphant freedom fighters who entered Kurigram town under the leadership of Abdul Hye (Bir Pratik) at 4:00pm on December 6, 1971.
“Later, Abdul Hye hoisted the flag of Independent Bangladesh on the overhead water tank in Kurigram town in presence of thousands of common people and freedom fighters,” Sarker added.
Kurigram district unit of BMS, different socio-cultural and professional organisations and political parties have chalked out limited programmes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to celebrate the Kurigram Freedom Day-2020 today, Sunday, December 6.