Today, December 6 in 1971, several districts including Meherpur, and upazilas including Rajarhat and Nawabganj, were freed from the Pakistani occupation forces.
MEHERPUR: The first capital of Bangladesh was liberated from the occupation of the Pakistan Army 53 years ago on December 6.
The freedom fighters, under the leadership of the late General M A Manzur, liberated the area. In November 1971, troops including the valiant freedom fighters manoeuvred along the Meherpur borders. The freedom fighters intensified their guerrilla war strategy to demoralise the Pak occupation army.
A fierce fight took place in the Inchakhali-Buripota border areas of sadar upazila at the end of November 1971, where the occupation forces suffered heavy casualties. More than 50 Pak junta soldiers were killed in a guerrilla attack. The freedom fighters managed to liberate the entirety of Meherpur on 6 December and took control of what was then the subdivision.
With the assistance of the allied forces, the guerrillas began to advance towards Meherpur on 5 December. The occupation forces started retreating that same day in the face of a terrible attack involving heavy gunfire.
They retreated completely from the Meherpur area at midnight on 6 December. The defeated Pakistan soldiers damaged the Amjhupi bridge on the Kazla River, and the Dinadatta bridge on the Chewtia River, located on the outskirts of the historical village of Amjhupi towards the neighbouring district of Chuadanga. The people passed the whole night in a horrific state, yet with a deep sentiment of pleasure, to see the rising sun of independence here. The whole town and surrounding areas were filled with the valiant freedom fighters chanting the slogan 'Joy Bangla' in a jubilant mood. At dawn, people hoisted the National Flag atop all private and public buildings in a festive mood.
NAWABGANJ, DINAJPUR: Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur District was freed today.
During the great Liberation War of 1971, on this day, December 6, a fierce direct confrontation took place between the freedom fighters and allied forces against the Pakistan Army at a place called Bhaduria in the upazila.
Convener of the Upazila Freedom Fighters' Council and former commander, Bir Muktijoddha Dabirul Islam, said - On this day, at Bhaduria in the upazila, a fierce direct battle was fought between the freedom fighters and allied forces against the Pakistan Army. Unable to withstand the intense attacks of the freedom fighters and allied forces, the Pakistan Army was forced to retreat, fleeing to the Ghora Ghat area, and thus Nawabganj Upazila was freed from the occupation forces.
Many members of the allied forces and freedom fighters were martyred in this battle. Every year on this day, local brave freedom fighters and the upazila administration observe the day through various programmes in memory of the martyrs.
RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM: Kurigram's Rajarhat Upazila observes its Liberation Day today. On this day, Dec 6 in 1971, freedom fighters defeated the Pakistan Army and freed Rajarhat from their occupation.
Every year, the day is celebrated with due enthusiasm and honour. However, upazila officials have said that no official programme has been undertaken this year to mark the occasion. A floral tribute, special prayers, and a discussion will instead be held on December 16, Victory Day, at the Tatmarir Badhyabhumi memorial.
According to local historical accounts, on March 28, 1971, the Kurigram Struggle Committee organised a massive public rally at Gawhar Park. From that gathering, a local command unit was formed consisting of Ahmad Ali Bokshi, Professor Haider Ali, Tasaddak Hossain, and Mahir Uddin Ahmad. Acting on their directives, arms and ammunition were collected from various police stations and stored at the Rajarhat residence of Ahmad Hossain Sarkar, then president of the Awami League (AL) Kurigram sub-division. There, local youths and students received guerrilla training as new freedom fighters. Weapons distributed from this house to police members, Ansar, students, and local volunteers signalled the beginning of the armed resistance in the Kurigram region.
On the same day, March 28, Captain Nawazesh Uddin, assistant commander of the EPR wing in Rangpur, took shelter at a house in Ghorialdanga of Rajarhat. From there, he sent word to local AL leaders. The next morning, on March 29, AL leaders Zahir Uddin Ahmed, Asmat Ullah Bepari, and Ali Monsur met him. After discussions, Captain Nawazesh briefed the Kurigram AL leadership on the developing situation.
On March 30, acting on Captain Nawazesh's instructions, Subedar Nur Mohammad, Subedar Abdul Mannan, Subedar Arab Ali, and Burhan Uddin, along with other EPR personnel, proceeded through Rajarhat toward Kurigram to strengthen the resistance.
To block advancing Pakistani forces, freedom fighters established a strong defensive base across the Teesta Bridge on April 1. EPR soldiers set up a camp at Rajarhat Pilot High School. When Pakistani troops crossed the Teesta River through Haragach and positioned themselves in Lalmonirhat on April 4, the freedom fighters relocated their Teesta camp to Rajarhat and Kurigram.
The Pakistan Army attacked Rajarhat twice; eventually, in mid-April, the occupying forces seized control of the area.
After taking Rajarhat, the Pakistan Army, supported by local collaborators, carried out arson attacks, looting, rape, and mass killings, leaving the population devastated. Following months of fierce resistance, freedom fighters, assisted by the 6th Mounted Division of the Indian Army under Brigadier Joshi, launched a counteroffensive and finally liberated Rajarhat on December 6.
The people of Rajarhat remember the day as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of the Liberation War.
