Chuadanga-Free Day will be observed today (December 7) amid various programmes.
On this day in 1971, Chuadanga was liberated from Pakistani occupation forces by freedom fighters and Mitro Bahini of India. The freedom fighters and common people assembled at Chowrasta intersection in Chuadanga town with national flag of Bangladesh and chanted slogans-‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.’
Freedom fighters and Mitro Bahini attacked on Pakistani Army from different points of the district. So they began to leave from Chuadanga before sunrise on December 7.
The flag of the independent Bangladesh fluttered in the free sky of Chuadanga at first after nine months grim battle against the occupation forces.
It may be mentioned here, Chuadanga was declared as first capital of Bangladesh on April 10 in 1971. Several committees were formed for fighting against the Pakistani army.
On April 3, Pakistani air jets bombed on Boro Bazaar, Police station and other areas in Chuadanga town. The air jets were damaged buildings and killed innocent people.
On April 11, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society was established in Chuadanga. An 11-member executive committee was formed on the day for functioning of Chuadanga Hospital.
Bangladesh Telephone Exchange Department started in Chuadanga on April 14. Communication was started over land phone throughout the country and other countries from Bangladesh Telephone Exchange Department at Chuadanga. Post Office was turned into Bangladesh Post Office (as GPO) on the day in Chuadanga.
A plan had been made for taking oath by ministers of Bangladesh Government at Chuadanga on April 14. Anyhow, the Pakistani Army came to know the above mentioned activities and marched from Jashore Cantonment towards Chuadanga.
When they reached Sarojgonj Bazaar in Sadar upazila of Chuadanga district, shot to death about 4 hundred people at Sorojgonj Bazaar and set fire on houses and shops. They also killed 30/40 Banglalees at Dingadah Bazaar in Sadar upazila. In Chuadanga town, over 150 common people were killed by the Pakistani army. On August 5 in 1971, a fight occurred between Pakistani army and freedom fighters at village Jogonnathpur-rotonpur in Damurhuda upazila. At least eight freedom fighters were killed in the fight.
On August 7 in 1971, a gunfight committed between freedom fighters and Pakistani army at Dhupakali village in Jibannagar upazila of the district. Five freedom fighters were shot dead by the Pakistani army.
Pakistani Army stayed at Jibannagar, Damurhuda, Alamdanga and Chuadanga thanas’ different points of their camps. When they came to know, could not stay at the areas to fight against freedom fighters and Mitro Bahini of India, and began to assemble in Chuadanga town on December 6.
Before sunrise on December 7, Pakistani army left Chuadanga for Kushtia with arms and other materials. Many occupation forces went to Kushtia on foot on the day. Hundreds of common people assembled different points in the then sub-divisional town, paraded the roads chanting slogans ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu’ with national flag.
Pakistani Army kept under control Chuadanga district from April 16 to December 6 mid-night. They carried out massacre over 2700 people from April 16 to December 6 mid-night.
It may be mentioned here that after torturing and killing of Bangalies including women the Pakistani army buried them in Chuadanga Sadar Hospital Mass Grave, Budu Miar Aam Bagan Mass Grave, Dingadah Mass Grave, Sarojgonj Mass Grave under Sadar upazila, Jogonnathpur Mass Grave in Damurhuda upazila, Dhupakhali Mass Grave in Jibannagar Upazila and Lal Bridge Mass Grave in Alamdanga upazila town.
A momentum of the eight martyred and Aat Shaheed Smrity Complex were built at Jogonnathpur village under Damurhuda upazila. A memorial for liberation is erected in the district town under the auspices of Chuadanga pourasabha. Mass Grave of Lal Bridge area in Alamdanga town has been given boundary wall and momentum in honor of martyred.
