Mymensingh, Madaripur break the shackles on this day

9 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Star National Desk

Different organisations and firms paste posters on the walls of incomplete memorial for the martyrs of Liberation War in Moulvibazar town. Construction of the memorial on the mass grave started during the tenure of last Awami League government but it stopped after the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance came to power. PHOTO: Rajat Kanti Goswami

Mymensingh and Madaripur districts were freed from the Pakistani occupation forces on this day in 1971. Our Mymensingh Correspondent reports: People of Mymensingh will celebrate today as a red-letter day marking liberation of the district from the occupation of Pakistani army. After the crackdown on March 26 in 1971, the Pak army made several failed attempts to enter Mymensingh town. On April 17 in 1971, a fierce battle started between Pak army and the freedom fighters at Kalihati in Tangail. Equipped with sophisticated weapons, the Pak army set their foot on Mymensingh town on April 22. Between May and November in 1971, the freedom fighters and the occupation army locked in a number of encounters at different places of the district, causing huge casualties to both sides. On December 7, freedom fighters freed Haluaghat from the occupation army and Phulpur and Bhaluka upazilas on December 8. Liberation of Gouripur, Trishal, Ishwarganj and Tarakanda areas followed. On December 10, freedom fighters led by Principal Motiur Rahman MP and Indian allied forces freed Mymensingh town from the Pak army. Some 125 freedom fighters including students and cultural activists borrowed martyrdom here. In 2000, local Muktijoddha Sangsad built a 64-feet high Muktijuddha Smiriti Saudha on the bank of Brahmaputra River in the town, depicting all the movements related to the country's independence. Different political and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to pay tribute to the valiant freedom fighters today. A week-long programme has also been taken at Chhoto Bazar in the district town to celebrate liberation of Mymensingh and Victory Day. A Correspondent reports from Madaripur: Madaripur district was freed from the occupation of Pakistani forces on this day in 1971. Inspired by Bangabandhu's March 7 speech, local youths started arms training at Nazimuddin College ground in Madaripur and Joy Bangla Bahini was formed there on March 10. The then sub-divisional officer Syed Rejaul Hayat arranged arms and ammunition for the freedom fighters from the treasury. Pakistani occupation forces aided by their collaborators entered Madaripur on April 24, 1971. They killed a number of people including men, women and children and burnt thousands of houses. Freedom fighters also formed strong resistance against the occupation forces. After a three-day fight at Samaddar Bridge area on December 8, 9 and 10, the enemy was finally defeated and Madaripur district was declared free.