On This Day in 1971
Occupation army retreated from several more dists
Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila command of Muktijoddha Sangsad brings out a procession in Lalmonirhat town yesterday marking liberation of Lalmonirhat district from the Pakistan occupation forces on December 6 in 1971.Photo: STAR
With rapid advances of the freedom fighters and Indian allied forces, more areas were liberated from the Pakistan occupation forces on December 7 in 1971. On this day, Gaibandha district (the then sub-division) was freed as freedom fighters and Indian forces captured the area following serious fighting during the last several days, reports our Gaibandha correspondent. During the nine months of liberation war, the Pakistan occupation forces with the help of their local collaborators committed massacre, torture and arson in the area. In November, new batches of trained freedom fighters entered the district through Maniker Char border and intensified attack on the occupation forces. In early December, two Indian bombers raided Gaibandha and adjoining areas for four days, causing extensive damage to camps of Pakistan occupation forces at different locations. They sank into the Jamuna River several water vessels and ferryboats that were used for transshipment of Pakistani soldiers. Firing heavy mortar shells, Indian forces proceeded towards Gaibandha town, forcing the Pakistan army flee for Rangpur cantonment early December 7. In the morning a platoon of freedom fighters led by Mahbub Elahi Ranju Bir Protik entered free Gaibandha and held a gathering at Swadhinata Prangon, where thousands of people attended amid cheers of victory. Freedom fighters and different organisations have taken up programmes to celebrate liberation of the district. Our Satkhira Correspondent reports: The people of Satkhira will observe 'Satkhira liberation day' today. Demoralised by successful operations of the freedom fighters in late November and early December, the Pakistan army left Satkhira on December 6. On December 7, groups of freedom fighters from different areas entered Satkhira town in triumphant processions. They hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh on Satkhira court building premises. To mark the day, Awami League-led grand alliance and Satkhira unit command of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad have chalked out elaborate programmes including discussion, rally and cultural function. Our Dinajpur Correspondent adds: People of Bochaganj upazila under Dinajpur district yesterday observed 'Bochaganj liberation day'. After a series of events during the liberation war, the freedom fighters with the help of Indian allied force on December 5 launched a fierce attack on the Pakistani troops, forcing them to retreat from the then Bochaganj thana. The freedom fighters entered the thana headquarters the next morning and hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh. As the news spread, people from the adjacent villages gathered there and rejoiced by chanting 'Joy Bangla' slogan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments