Panchagarh was freed on this day in '71

On this day in 1971, valiant freedom fighters hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh in Panchagarh town by defeating the Pakistan occupation forces.

To mark the day, district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad has chalked out a number of programmes, including hoisting national and organisational flags in the morning at its unit offices in the district, placing floral wreaths at the martyrs' memorial, holding colourful procession from Muktijoddha Chattar in the town, discussion and cultural function, where local lawmaker Nazmul Haque Prodhan will attend as chief guest.  

On November 20 in 1971, the freedom fighters intensified attack on the Pakistani occupation army from three corners of the town.

Gradually they took control of the camps of Pakistani occupation forces -- Amarkhana on November 20, Jagdalhat on November 25, Shingpara village on November 26, Talma village on Novemver 27 and Panchagarh CO Office at Atwary in Mirzapur on November 28.

In the face of joint attack by the freedom fighters and allied forces the previous night, finally the Pakistani occupation forces retreated from the town on November 28 night and took shelter at Saidpur Cantonment.

Freedom fighters entered the town in the morning of November 29.

As the news spread, people from the adjacent villages rushed to the town and rejoiced the victory by chanting slogans 'Joy Bangla' with the freedom fighters.

Shortly after the Pakistani army started crackdown in Dhaka on March 26, freedom-loving people of Panchagarh brought out protest processions and observed different programmes there.

Panchagarh remained free from Pakistani occupation army till 16 April in 1971. Later the occupation forces took control of the town and set up several camps in different areas of the then Panchagarh Police Station under Thakurgaon Sub-division.

During the next several months, the Pakistan forces and their collaborators killed a large number of innocent people in the district.