On This Day in 1971
FFs free Chandpur, Patuakhali
Liberation War memorial at Chandpur, right, a memorial plaque dedicated to the martyred freedom fighters in Patuakhali. Photo: STAR
On December 8 in 1971, heroic freedom fighters freed Chandpur and Patuakhali from Pakistan occupation army. People in several districts yesterday observed liberation of the areas from the enemy forces. Valiant freedom fighters accompanied by Indian allied forces entered the then sub-divisional town Chandpur, a stronghold of Pakistan occupation forces on December 8 in 1971, reports a correspondent. Earlier on December 6 and 7, they engaged in a fierce battle with the Pakistan army at Hajiganj. With heavy casualties, the occupation forces retreated to Chandpur. Utterly demoralised in the face of onward march of the freedom fighters and Indian army, the Pakistan troops fled the riverport town for Narayanganj by gunboats, steamers and launches. Indian troops with their tanks entered the town without facing any resistance in the morning of December 8. At around 11:00am, the flag of independent Bangladesh was flown in presence of a large number of freedom fighters and common people. Our Patuakhali correspondent reports: Patuakhali district was freed from Pakistan occupation forces on December 8 in 1971. During the liberation war, several battles took place in the area and the Pak army aided by their local collaborators committed massacre. In the last week of November in 1971, freedom fighters defeated Pakistani troops in a few battles near Patuakhali town. On December 7, Pakistan army imposed emergency in the district town and left the area for Dhaka by a ship. Freedom fighters finally declared the district free on December 8. Altaf Hyder, freedom fighter of Mirzaganj raised national flag atop the judge's court building and then at Shaheed Alauddin children's park in the town. Marking the day, different organisations including district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad have taken up various programmes including colourful procession, discussion meeting and cultural function in the town. People of Magura yesterday observed liberation of the area from the Pakistani occupation forces, reports our correspondent. Magura district administration arranged placing floral wreaths on the martyrs' memorial and held a discussion and cultural function. On December 7 in 1971, Sreepur Bahini led by valiant freedom fighters Akbar Hossain Mian and Molla Nabuot Ali attacked Pakistani troops at the then sub-divisional headquarters at Magura, while Indian allied forces made fierce air attack, forcing the occupation forces to flee. Local leaders of Awami League (AL) led grand alliance held a discussion at Sadar Hospital intersection marking 'Satkhira liberation day' yesterday, reports our Satkhira correspondent. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on the communications ministry, was the chief guest at the meeting presided over by freedom fighter Sheikh Abu Nasim Moina. A cultural function was held and a colourful procession was brought out in the town. Local Muktijoddha Sangsad held a discussion at Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park. Speakers at the rallies demanded that the government speed up the trial of war criminals. Our Gaibandha Correspondent adds: Company commander Mahbub Elahi Ranju Bir Protik, who first entered free Gaibandha with his troops after the flight of Pakistan occupation forces on December 7 in 1971, led a procession of cross sections of people in Gaibandha town yesterday. Later a public meeting was held on the premises of victory memorial pillar. Gaibandha unit of Muktijodha Sangsad arranged a separate meeting on the occasion of 'Gaibandha liberation day'.
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