Pro-liberation forces to hold first ever joint programmes

Construction of the Freedom Fighters Monument near Monu Bridge in Moulvibazar town, started during the previous government's rule is stopped now for lack of funds. PHOTO: STAR

On this day in 1971, Moulvibazar was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces.

This year, the day will have a special significance as all pro-liberation political parties, for the first time after independence, will hold programmes jointly to celebrate the Moulvibazar liberation day.

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Awami League, NAP (National Awami Party), CPB (Communist Party of Bangladesh), JSD (Jatiya Samajtantric Dal), BSD Bangla-desh Samajtantric Dal), Gono Forum Gonotantri Party along with journalists and cultural activists have jointly chalked out programmes.

A 45-member committee has been formed with former lawmaker Md. Azizur Rahman as convenor and district AL President Syed Mohsin Ali and CPB Presidium Member Syed Abu Zafor Ahmed as joint convenors.

The day will be observed through various programmes including placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar in the town, victory procession and cultural show.

But people are unhappy as construction of the Tk 2.5 lakh monument in memory of martyred freedom fighters near Monu Bridge in the town started by Moulvibazar district unit of Mukijoddha Sangsad during AL rule is yet to be completed.

When asked by this correspondent, officials of the Sangsad here said that after change of government, there was no allocation of funds from its central committee for completion of the project.

As elsewhere in the country, Pakistani occupation forces launched a crackdown on innocent people in Moulvibazar on March 27, 1971. The occupation forces faced the first resistance on that day in Srirainagar area on Dhaka-Sylhet highway about three kilometres away from Moulvibazar town.

Thousands of people with bamboo sticks blocked the highway to resist Pakistani army. When they were proceeding towards Srirainagar, a convoy of occupation troops came and opened fire on them, killing two farmers--Tara Miah of Shabandar village and Jomir Miah of Radhanagar village died on the spot. They were the first martyrs in Moulvibazar.

The occupation army entered Moulvibazar town but within a week freedom fighters compelled them to flee.

Later, in April, the occupation army again captured Moulvibazar town and set up a brigade headquarter at the primary training institute (PTI).

On December 2, freedom fighters and allied forces attacked the Pakistani army base at Shamsernagar Airport. The occupation army

retreated towards Moulvibazar town from Shamsernagar.

The final victory was won on December 8 after a fierce battle at Baratilla in which but 127 allied troops were killed.

The then lawmaker Md. Azizur Rahman hoisted the Bangladesh flag the then Sub-Divisional Officer's office.