I visited Moheshkhola a remote village in Baghmara district under the state of Meghalaya of India. Moheshkola- a name engraved in my heart is a place where my family took refuge during the Liberation War in 1971. My father Akhaqul Hossain Ahmed was elected a member of erstwhile East Pakistan Provincial Assembly (MPA) with a landslide victory in the national election of Pakistan held in 1970. Awai League secured 168 seats out of 170 in East Pakistan in the election. As a matter of fact, this vote was a mandate for establishing self-rule for the Bengalis. However, the then Pakistan Government did accept the result and suspended the session of parliament for an indefinite period. As a consequence of which Bengalis under the leadership of its undisputed leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started all out protest and resistance. And the Pakistani ruling junta retaliated to this protest with merciless oppression and tyranny which reached at its peak on the dark night of March 25, 1971. On that night Pakistani government resorted to genocide in the name of ‘Operation Search Light’ on the unarmed Bengalis. Culmination of this tyranny and genocide was the declaration of independence on March 26, 1971 by Bangabandhu There on started the armed struggled for independence.

Bengalis in order to save their lives started crossing borders to take shelter in the adjoining states of India. In this helpless state the country which extended its hand of support to give shelter is India. Particularly the bold and sincere initiative of the then prime minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi in raising opinion of the world leaders in favour of Bengalis is undeniable. India opened up all its borders to allow entry and gave shelter to the refugees. Hundreds and thousands of Bengalis crossed the borders and took refuge in different refugee camps. One of these camps was in Moheshkhola. My father who was elected member of provincial assembly from Mohanganj – Barhatta constituency of Netrakona district, crossed the border like some other MPAs and took the charge of Moheshkhola refugee camp in order to get the freedom fighters trained by the Indian security force with one goal to free the motherland from oppressors.

I was a toddler. My father left for Moheshkhola by road and river leaving us behind, me, my mother, two brothers and my sister. We did not know whether we will meet again, everything was pretty uncertain.

From Moheshkhola my father used to send letters secretly by special messengers to my mother which was fondly preserved by her. The letters were full of emotions, anxieties and worries. One of those letters was published in a book titled ‘Ekatturer Chithi’ by national daily Prothom-Alo and Grameenphone Ltd. The very book is a compilation of the letters of the freedom fighters from the war fields to their near and dear ones back at home. Each of the letters contains deep patriotism, firmness, concerns and hatred. My father in his letter particularly mentioned about his youngest son (me) and wrote that he was missing me very much and became restless when he remembered me. I become emotional every time I read these letters and cannot stop the tears.

My plan came to reality when my eldest brother Justice Obaidul Hassan finalised the tour plan after having contacted the Indian government authority and fixed up date April 16, 2016. My long cherished trip started at 8 o’clock in the morning of April 16, 2016. My brother and I reached Dalu border of Baghmara crossing Bangladesh border Nakugaon under Sherpur district at around noon. Baghmara local administration and BSF received us and we placed floral wreath at the monument of 9 BSF soldiers who died in our liberation war. From there we started for Baghmara Circuit House, reached at 3 pm. It is mentionable that the Indian government considered my brother and me as its entourage state-guest. Staying overnight in the circuit house we started off to our coveted destination Moheshkhola the next morning. Meghalaya state govt. provided adequate security to us since it was a militancy prone area. We were a bit sceptical about the journey to Moheshkhola due to heavy rain overnight. Nevertheless, by the grace of Almighty, we reached Moheshkhola at 11.30 am. A remote place, it took about two and half hours to 62 km from Baghmara circuit house to Moheshkhola. It was different feeling, very hard to express. As soon as I reached Moheshkhola my brother was able to identify the exact place where my family took refuge. I do not remember anything from 1971. Everything seemed new to me. I became very emotional. From there I spoke to my mother over cell phone back at home (Dhaka).One of the few people gathered there to welcome us was a 70 year old man who helped us in finding out the location where we stayed. Other three MPAs who where there at Moheshkhola along with my father were Mr. Abdul Khaleque, MPA from Atpara, Netrakona, Mr. Abdul Hekim Chowdhury, MPA, from Dharmapahsa, Sunamganj and Mr. Shamsu Mia Chowdhury, MPA, from Chatok, Sunamganj. The underdeveloped condition of Moheshkhola long after 45 years proved how miserably underdeveloped it was in 1971 where my family had to live without having basic utility like water, sanitation and electricity. They endured the situation with only hope in mind to liberate the motherland. Every moment, every day passed through uncertainty, nevertheless with a determination which was the motivation for the liberation war.

Spending few hours in Moheshkhola we again started for Baghmara, reached circuit house in the evening. Staying overnight at the Baghmara circuit house, we started for Tura, another town bearing the memory of 1971, on April 17 and reached at 7 pm. In Tura Circuit House.

Tura district administration also gave us warm welcome. Staying overnight in Tura circuit house we started for Goalpara on 18th morning and stayed overnight in Goalpara circuit house. On 19th morning we again started for Tura and were we stayed for the day. In Tura we received unforgettable hospitality; particularly the personal and sincere hospitality of Deputy Commissioner of Tura Mr. Pravin Bakshi infatuated us. Finally we started for Dalu at 8 a.m. on April 20 and reached there at 11.30 a.m. From there we started for Dhaka via Nakugaonborder following the same route. We reached Dhaka safely at 3 pm.

This trip is the most memorable one and a life time experience for me. I could explore my root through this trip. As my father is an utmost truth to me, his active role, leadership and sacrifice in the great liberation war is another utmost truth to me. I feel proud of being a son of an organizer of the great liberation war.

This memorable trip was possible through the sincere effort and initiative of my eldest botherand his ardent appreciation to my thirst for visiting Moheshkhola to find out my affinity with liberation war. My profound gratitude to my brother as well as to the friend in need - Indian government.

The writer is a freelancer