Jashore, Meherpur freed on this day

Valiant freedom fighters on this day in 1971 freed Jashore and Meherpur districts from the occupation of the Pakistan military forces. Under Liberation War Sector No. 8, the freedom fighters fought heroically under their commander Maj. MA Manzur. Like every year, the people of Jashore will celebrate today as ‘Jashore Liberation Day'. Jashore was the first district of the country to become independent. The occupation forces captured Jashore town on April 4, 1971. Earlier, on the night of March 26, they had swooped down on the innocent people of Jashore town. They had caught prominent Awami League leader advocate Mashiur Rahman and taken him to the Jashore cantonment where he was brutally killed.

The freedom fighters started a guerrilla war in the town from October 1971. At that time, the Pakistan army in Jashore cantonment was encircled by the freedom fighters. The freedom fighters, along with the allied forces, defeated the Pakistani forces at Chowgachha on December 5. Chowgachha became the first thana to be freed from the occupation forces.

Jashore town was freed without any resistance or bloodshed. The enemy forces had retreated towards Khulna by vacating Jashore cantonment the previous night under the cover of darkness. It was indeed a surprise to all. The valiant freedom fighters and allied forces, led by Maj. Manjoor, entered the town early in the morning. But they found the town bereft of Pakistani soldiers, as the allied forces, led by 9th Indian Division Captain Maj. Gen. Dalbir Singh, got involved in face-to-face battles with the Pakistan forces that intimidated them into leaving.

Earlier, the national flag of Bangladesh was hoisted atop the Jashore Collectorate building by a group of revolutionary students on March 3, 1971. Police opened fire on a militant procession on that day, leaving one Charubala dead on the spot.

The next day, the national flag was hoisted at the local Eidgah Maidan at the initiative of veteran six-point campaigners like Syed Mahabbat Ali, the late journalist Mahamudul Haque, Saleha Khatoon, Amal Sen, journalist Abdus Salam, freedom fighter Abdul Hai and others. The group put up barricades at Arabpur, the entry point to Jashore Cantonment, on March 17, 1971, killing a Pakistani soldier. This incident inspired many to come forward and Jashore made headlines in the national dailies.

The district administration, Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties, and different socio-cultural organisations of the district have undertaken elaborate programmes to mark the day with the spirit of the Liberation War.

Our Meherpur Correspondent reports:

Forty-seven years ago, on December 6, Meherpur, the first capital of Bangladesh where a provisional government was formed, was liberated from the Pakistan army.

Freedom fighters, under the leadership of Gen. MA Manzur, liberated the area. The troops, including the valiant freedom fighters, manoeuvred along the Meherpur borders in November 1971. The freedom fighters intensified their guerrilla war strategy to demoralise the Pakistan occupation army.

The guerrillas, with the assistance of the allied forces, started advancing towards Meherpur on December 5. The occupation forces began retreating in the face of a devastating attack.

The defeated Pakistani soldiers damaged the Amjhupi bridge on the Kajla river and Dinadatta Bridge on the Chewtia river on the outskirts of the historical village Amjhupi towards Chuadanga in the neighbouring district.

The people passed the whole night in  apprehension and longed to see the rising sun of independence here. The whole town and surrounding areas were besieged by the valiant freedom fighters chanting the slogan ‘Joy-Bangla’ in a jubilant mood. People hoisted the national flag at dawn atop all private and public buildings.

Ataul Hakim Lal Miah, freedom fighters' Affairs secretary of the Awami League, said that in order to observe Meherpur Liberation Day, freedom fighters of Meherpur district every year organise different programmes, including a grand rally and discussion meeting.

 

Jashore, Meherpur freed on this day

Valiant freedom fighters on this day in 1971 freed Jashore and Meherpur districts from the occupation of the Pakistan military forces. Under Liberation War Sector No. 8, the freedom fighters fought heroically under their commander Maj. MA Manzur. Like every year, the people of Jashore will celebrate today as Jashore Liberation Day. Jashore was the first district of the country to become independent. The occupation forces captured Jashore town on April 4, 1971. Earlier, on the night of March 26, they had swooped down on the innocent people of Jashore town. They had caught prominent Awami League leader advocate Mashiur Rahman and taken him to the Jashore cantonment where he was brutally killed. The freedom fighters started a guerrilla war in the town from October 1971. At that time, the Pakistan army in Jashore cantonment was encircled by the freedom fighters. The freedom fighters, along with the allied forces, defeated the Pakistani forces at Chowgachha on December 5. Chowgachha became the first thana to be freed from the occupation forces. Jashore town was freed without any resistance or bloodshed. The enemy forces had retreated towards Khulna by vacating Jashore cantonment the previous night under the cover of darkness. It was indeed a surprise to all. The valiant freedom fighters and allied forces, led by Maj. Manjoor, entered the town early in the morning. But they found the town bereft of Pakistani soldiers, as the allied forces, led by 9th Indian Division Captain Maj. Gen. Dalbir Singh, got involved in face-to-face battles with the Pakistan forces that intimidated them into leaving. Earlier, the national flag of Bangladesh was hoisted atop the Jashore Collectorate building by a group of revolutionary students on March 3, 1971. Police opened fire on a militant procession on that day, leaving one Charubala dead on the spot. The next day, the national flag was hoisted at the local Eidgah Maidan at the initiative of veteran six-point campaigners like Syed Mahabbat Ali, the late journalist Mahamudul Haque, Saleha Khatoon, Amal Sen, journalist Abdus Salam, freedom fighter Abdul Hai and others. The group put up barricades at Arabpur, the entry point to Jashore Cantonment, on March 17, 1971, killing a Pakistani soldier. This incident inspired many to come forward and Jashore made headlines in the national dailies. The district administration, Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties, and different socio-cultural organisations of the district have undertaken elaborate programmes to mark the day with the spirit of the Liberation War. Our Meherpur Correspondent reports: Forty-seven years ago, on December 6, Meherpur, the first capital of Bangladesh where a provisional government was formed, was liberated from the Pakistan army. Freedom fighters, under the leadership of Gen. MA Manzur, liberated the area. The troops, including the valiant freedom fighters, manoeuvred along the Meherpur borders in November 1971. The freedom fighters intensified their guerrilla war strategy to demoralise the Pakistan occupation army. The guerrillas, with the assistance of the allied forces, started advancing towards Meherpur on December 5. The occupation forces began retreating in the face of a devastating attack. The defeated Pakistani soldiers damaged the Amjhupi bridge on the Kajla river and Dinadatta Bridge on the Chewtia river on the outskirts of the historical village Amjhupi towards Chuadanga in the neighbouring district. The people passed the whole night in apprehension and longed to see the rising sun of independence here. The whole town and surrounding areas were besieged by the valiant freedom fighters chanting the slogan Joy-Bangla in a jubilant mood. People hoisted the national flag at dawn atop all private and public buildings. Ataul Hakim Lal Miah, freedom fighters Affairs secretary of the Awami League, said that in order to observe Meherpur Liberation Day, freedom fighters of Meherpur district every year organise different programmes, including a grand rally and discussion meeting.