Gopalganj Free Day was observed on Thursday (Dec 7) amid festivity and enthusiasm.
On this day in 1971, the valiant freedom fighters (FFs) liberated Gopalganj by defeating the Pakistani occupation forces.
On the occasion of the historic day, the District Administration and District Muktijoddha Sangsad Unit command organised a day-long programme in the district.
Under the leadership of the Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohsin Uddin and Chairman of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Parishad Sheikh Lutfar Rahman Bachchu, tributes were paid by placing wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of the District Freedom Fighters Complex in the town this morning.
Marking the day, a discussion was held on the occasion at the Hall Room of Sadar Upazila Parishad office.
Chairman of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Parishad Sheikh Lutfar Rahman Bachchu and former district freedom fighter commander Badruddoza Badar, among others, spoke on the occasion with Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohsin Uddin in the chair.
The speakers commemorated the Great Liberation War and prayed for the peace of the souls of the martyred freedom fighters. Hundreds of female and male freedom fighters of the district participated in the event.
From the morning of this day in 1971, groups of freedom fighters entered the district town and hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh.
Gaibandha Correspondent reports:
On this day in 1971, the valiant freedom fighters (FFs) liberated Gaibandha town defeating the Pakistani occupation forces who entered Gaibandha town on April 17 in 1971 and stationed themselves at local Wireless Office and then Helal Park now Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium.
A team of over 350 FFs led by Company Commander Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik, from Kalasonar char via Balashighat entered the town through Pulbandi area with great joy and pride bearing the flag of independent Bangladesh and shaking hands with the people standing on both the sides of the roads.
Then, the FFs gathered at Independence Square formerly known as SDO (Sub Division Officer) Math, of the town here in the morning at 9 am and heaved a sigh of relief while they were enjoying the taste of freedom after months of struggle.
As the news spread, people of Gaibandha town rushed to the ground, rejoiced liberation of their motherland by chanting slogans ‘Joy Bangla’ with the FFs and accorded reception to the FFs for their heroic achievement.
Earlier, the FFs under sub-sector number 11 fought against the Pakistani army and their local collaborators in several battles at different places including Nandina, Madarganj, Trimohini, Gobindi Embankment, Ratanpur, Sluice Gate, Bhangamour, Mohimaganj and Kalasonar Char areas of the district in last nine months.
And thus, Gaibandha town was liberated from the hands of Pakistan Army on this day in 1971, said Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik.
Businessmen Mazibar Rahman and Ranga Miah of Purbapara and Kalachand Saha of Puratan Bazar were embraced martyrdom at first, among others, as they were shot dead by the enemy forces on April 18, a day just after camping here, said former commander of Bangladesh Muktijodha Sangshad, district unit command, Mahmudul Haque Sahjada.
During the War of Liberation, Pakistani army with the help of local collaborators indiscriminately killed many other innocent and unnamed people, raped scores of women and young girls at camps and looted valuables from the houses in the district.
In the morning around 11 am, a grand procession organized jointly by the Gaibandha Hanadar Mukta Dibash Udjapan Committee and district administration was brought out from Parbapara that ended at Independence Square after parading the main roads of the town.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Nahid Rasul formally inaugurated the procession as the chief guest. Later, a discussion was also held on the stage of Independence Square in the town with freedom fighter Mahmudul Haque Sahjada, coordinator of the committee in the chair.ADC Sushanta Kunar Mahato addressed the function as the chief guest while Mahbub Elahi Ranju, Bir Protik, was the chief discussant at the meeting while freedom fighter Reazul Haque Chowdhury conducted the function as moderator.
Convener of the committee Wasikar Md Ikbal Maju and freedom fighter Ali Akbar addressed the function, among others. A large number of FFs and their children including journalists participated in the programmes.
December 6, 1971: Jashore was liberated first
BSS, Jshore adds: On this day in 1971, valiant freedom fighters managed to liberate Jashore from the occupation force of Pakistan after a nine-month war.
On December 6, 1971, the Pak forces fled from the Jashore cantonment. Today is the historic Jashore Independence Day.
Thus the district in the country's south-west became the first to be liberated from the clutches of Pakistan.
District Administration, Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties and different socio-cultural organisations of the districts observed elaborate programs marking the day with their hearts swelled by the spirit of the Liberation War.
On this occasion, a discussion was held at the Town Hall ground in the district town this morning. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Abraul Hasan Majumder inaugurated the day by flying red green balloons and festoons. The Deputy Commissioner, Zilla Parishad Chairman Saifuzzaman Pikul, Dipankar Das Ratan, acting president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote district unit, Bangladesh Liberation Force (BLF) chief of Greater Jashore district Ali Hossain Moni, its deputy chief Rabiul Alam, war-wounded valiant freedom fighter A.H.M Muzharul Islam Montu, Jashore Government MM College Principal Professor Morjina Akhter, Sadar Upazila Chairman Mustafa Farid Ahmed Chowdhury, Additional Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain and Shilpakala Academy General Secretary Advocate Mahmud Hasan Bulu, among others, spoke.
Deputy Director of Local Government Department Rafiqul Hasan, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anup Das and officials of government and private institutions, teachers, students and civil society representatives, among others, were present.
Later, a colorful victory rally was bought out from the Town Hall ground at the initiative of the Jashore district administration which paraded the important streets of the district town and ended at the Bangabandhu Mural in Bakultala area that morning.