Regional Resistance: Shibbari Youth Camp & George Bahini
During the 1971 Liberation War, a number of regional forces emerged across Bangladesh. Research suggests that dozens of such forces actively participated in the war. Just as the freedom fighters trained under the sub-sectors and the Bengal Regiment fought valiantly, these regional forces also displayed immense courage in battles against the Pakistani army. In this month of victory, we bring you the stories of some of these heroic forces.
One of the largest training camps for freedom fighters during the Liberation War was set up in Shibbari of Gangarampur in West Bengal by George JM Das, a retired Bangalee soldier of the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR).
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Over 2,500 freedom fighters were trained at this camp during the early stages of the war. Additionally, he formed a separate force known as the George Bahini.
George, a legendary figure known as "George Bhai" across Dinajpur, was a trainer, an organiser in the early stages of the war, and later a freedom fighter.
In September of this year, The Daily Star visited several upazilas in Dinajpur and spoke to over 10 freedom fighters of George Bahini and learnt about the story of this unique force, which had been largely forgotten.
The heroic exploits of George and his force are documented in several books. "Dinajpurer George Bahinir Obodan O Mahanayak George Das" is a book dedicated to George and his force. Additionally, "Dinajpurer Itihas Somogro" and "Muktijuddhe Brihottor Dinajpur Zila" also mention their contributions.
George joined the EPR in 1959. In 1969, the Pakistani army sent him to forced retirement from the rank of lance corporal, citing a leg injury. During his military service, George received specialised training in field engineering, training, and explosives.
FORMATION
According to the book "Dinajpurer George Bahinir Obodan O Mahanayak George Das", the day after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech on March 7, a Sangram Parishad was formed in Dinajpur. At that time, George decided to begin training the local youths to prepare for the impending struggle.
Immediately following the March 25 massacre, George travelled from Birol to Dinajpur Sadar. The next night, with the support of George and other political leaders and organisers, a training camp known as the KBM College Camp was set up at Gadagari Hat in South Kotwali.
On the afternoon of March 27, George joined the Bangalee soldiers at the EPR headquarters in Kuthibari after they had revolted. As the Pakistani soldiers retaliated with gunfire, George and the Bangalee soldiers formed a counter-resistance. After forcing the Pakistani soldiers to retreat, George, along with the Bangalee soldiers, students, and youth, raided the Kuthibari armoury.
On March 31, after four days of intense fighting, the Pakistani army was completely driven out of Dinajpur, the book reads.
After the victory, George started training young people at Dinajpur Stadium and a temporary camp in Baluadanga.
DINAJPUR FALLS
On April 12, as the Pakistani army advanced towards Dinajpur from Saidpur Cantonment, freedom fighters put up a resistance. A group of freedom fighters led by George also participated in this battle.
Anwarul Kadir Jewel, second in command of Shibbari camp, said, "However, due to the overwhelming firepower of the Pakistani army, Dinajpur fell on April 13."
Subsequently, George and his team retreated to India, seeking refuge at the Rajibpur Mission Missionary Church in Gangarampur, West Bengal.
TRAINING IN INDIA
In late April, George resumed training freedom fighters on a smaller scale near the Rajibpur Missionary Church.
Jewel said, "We started with training 18 individuals at the Rajibpur church. But as the number of freedom fighters grew, we moved the camp to Osman Gani's estate and mango orchard in Shibbari."
Initially, the freedom fighters received food supplies from the Rajibpur church. However, as their number increased, the supplies became insufficient.
"We raised funds by going door-to-door and performing songs on local trains. With just one meal a day, we continued training," said Jewel.
During this period, George visited refugee camps in neighbouring areas to encourage students and youth to join the war effort. As a result, the number of freedom fighters in Shibbari camp steadily increased. In the first phase, 18 trained freedom fighters were sent to Siliguri for advanced training.
To accommodate the increasing number of freedom fighters, training was expanded to the Nimtala field near the camp.
Between June and July, the number of youths joining the Shibbari camp surged, leading to space constraints. So, many were sent to 12 other camps, including Patiram, Pransagar, Dangarhat, Kusamandi, Panihati, Raiganj, Katla, Malan, and Bateshwar.
The Shibbari camp and Geroge Das maintained regular communication with these camps.
Tarani Kanta Roy, one of the first trainers at Shibbari camp, said, "We started with just three trainers. However, within a month, our team expanded to 13. After three months of training, I led a group of 100 people to Patiram, as Shibbari was becoming overcrowded with recruits."
Rajendranath Roy, a Shibbari camp trainee, who fought under the Malan sub-sector in Chapainawabganj, told this newspaper, "We, the trainees of the Shibbari camp, including those trained under George, were deployed to various sub-sectors after completing our training."
DEPLOYMENT IN WARZONE
Under the leadership of captain Idris, Bir Bikram, freedom fighters were engaging the enemy forces in several areas under the region including Birol and Hili in Dinajpur and Kansat in Chapainawabganj since May.
In July, the areas came under the jurisdiction of the Hamzapur sub-sector (Sector-7).
Freedom fighters trained at the Shibbari Youth Camp were initially deployed to the Hamzapur sub-sector.
In August, floods and landslides disrupted the operations of Sector 7 headquarters in Taranngapur and the Panihati Youth Camp.
At that time, the increasing instances of torture and killings within the country led to a surge in refugees seeking shelter across the border. Many young people also arrived at the Shibbari Youth Camp for training.
Jewel said, "They came to the camp and declared, 'We're not here for food; we're here to fight. Train us!' Over a month, the Indian Army trained more than 500 young recruits."
In late October, the Hamzapur sub-sector announced plans to deploy trained youth for operations within the warzone, he added.
Jewel said, "In early November, a group of 41 trained freedom fighters from the Shibbari camp were selected to join a suicide squad alongside the Madras Regiment."
In phases, other groups of freedom fighters trained at Shibbari entered the country.
Under George Das's leadership, over 100 freedom fighters participated in battles at various locations, including Birol, Hakimpur, Ramsagar, Khanpur, Saraswatipur, and Jamalpur in Dinajpur, he added.
INDIGENOUS FIGHTERS
Individuals from various ethnic minority groups across the country actively participated in the war, many of whom fought under George.
Villages like Halja, Raghudevpur, Achutia, and Jhenaikuri in Ranipukur union of Birol upazila were home to various ethnic minority groups, including Santals, Mundas, Koras, Oraons, Mahalis, and Turis. Many individuals from these communities participated in the war under George.
In recent decades, many members of these ethnic minority groups have migrated to India.
Kina Kora is one of the few surviving freedom fighters from the Kora community who participated in the war. He fought alongside George in the operation to destroy a bridge in Jhenaikuri village.
Speaking to this newspaper, Kina said, "We used 40kg of explosives to destroy the bridge in Jhenaikuri village. This stopped the Pakistani soldiers from crossing it to attack our villages near the border."
Not only members of small ethnic groups but also many Christian residents of Dinajpur town fought in the war under George and his force.
Vincent Marandi, a Christian freedom fighter, said, "Dinajpur had a significant Christian population at the time. As George himself was Christian, he had the loyalty of the local Christian community."
GEORGE'S BROTHERS
According to the books, all four brothers of George actively participated in the war.
James M Das Lewis, a former EPR member, fought alongside George in Kuthibari. Robert RN Das served as a relief officer for the Mujibnagar government. John SK Das and Anthony NN Das were active combatants alongside George Das. Anthony fought with George in the battles of Birol and Ghughudanga.
Translated and edited from Bangla by Subrata Roy.
Comments