Liberation War ’71: Mymensingh freed on this day

December 10 is a red letter day for the people of Mymensingh as the district tasted freedom from the Pakistani occupation army on the day in 1971.

On April 17 in 1971, a fierce battle took place between Pak army and the freedom fighters in Tangail’s Kalihati and it continued for five days.

The Pak troops managed to enter Mymensingh town on April 22.

The freedom fighters built their stronghold in bordering Haluaghat upazila of the district.

Between May and November in 1971, the freedom fighters and the Pakistani occupation forces locked in fierce fighting at different places of the district and surrounding areas, where both sides witnessed heavy casualties.

On December 7, the freedom fighters freed Haluaghat from the occupation forces and on December 8, Phulpur and Bhaluka upazilas were freed,

Liberation of Gouripur, Trishal, Ishwarganj and Tarakanda areas followed as the valiant freedom fighters forced the enemy to retreat from their occupied places in the district.

On December 10, freedom fighters led by Principal Motiur Rahman and Indian allied forces entered the town, driving out the occupation forces.

A large number of freedom fighters as well as ordinary freedom loving people in the district sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the motherland.

To keep the martyrs’ memory alive, a Liberation War memorial titled “Muktijuddho Smriti Saudha” was built on the bank of the Brahmaputra river in the town in 2000.

The district administration, Muktijoddha Sangsad’s district unit and Mymensingh Free and Victory Day Celebration Committee have jointly taken a week-long programme, at Chhoto Bazar ‘Mukto Mancha’ from today marking the day, said Ziauddin Ahmed, former assistant commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad, Mymensingh.