The local administrations will observe Barisal Free Day in the district today marking the 46th anniversary of the district’s liberation from Pakistani occupation army. On this day in 1971,  'Mukti Bahini' (freedom fighters) took control of the city, the then district headquarters and second largest river port of the country defeating Pakistan occupation army in several pitched encounters..

The Pakistani army after an air raid on 17 April, occupied the then Barisal district town on 25 April, 1971, said witnesses of the day.

The then Pakistan-controlled local administration had announced an indefinite curfew on the night of December 7 and the occupying army, numbering about 400, and some of their collaborators left Barisal in the early hours of December 8 through waterway as the freedom fighters had surrounded the town and disrupted road communications. Four fighter aircrafts of the Indian Air Force had sped immediately and destroyed all water transports killing most of the Pakistan army personnel and their collaborators on the day.

At about 10.30 am that day, a group of freedom fighters, led by base commander Sultan Master, entered from southern and western parts and captured Barisal Kotwali police station.

As base commanders Nizamuddin and Mazid Khan, and sub-sector commander Shahjahan Omar, entered the city, Barisal came under the control of Mukti Bahini by the afternoon of December 8.

The collaborators, who took shelter inside WAPDA quarters, later surrendered to Nurul Islam Manjur, the then district Awami League secretary and organiser of liberation movement in Barisal, and Mahfuz Alam Beg, sub-sector commander, without any bloodshed on December 18.

Marking the day, Barisal district command of Muktijoddha Sangsad will organise a rally at Barisal Government Girls School.