Panchagarh free day observed

Panchagarh free day was observed yesterday amid festivity and a daylong programme in the town.

Panchagarh was freed from the occupation of Pakistani Army on November 29, 1971.

People from all walks of life, including freedom fighters, government officials and leaders and activists of different political and socio-cultural organisations chalked out different programmes, marking the day yesterday.

District administration and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, district unit, jointly organised the programme.

In the morning, a colourful procession was brought out from Panchagarh circuit house that paraded the main roads of the town before ending at the compound of Panchagarh Muktijoddha Sangsad.

While parading the town, the participants placed floral wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the monument at the mass graves of the martyred freedom fighters along the Karatoa Bridge in the municipality.

The procession followed a discussion with Additional Deputy Commissioner Golam Azam in the chair where Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner Sabina Yasmin was the chief guest.  

The speakers at the discussion said the freedom fighters intensified attacks on the Pakistani occupation army from three corners of the town on November 20, 1971 and gradually took control of the camps of Pakistani occupation forces at Amarkhana on November 20, Jagdalhat on November 25, Shingpara on November 26, Talma on November 27 and Panchagarh CO Office at Atwary on November 28.

The freedom fighters entered the town on November 29, after the Pakistani occupation army finally retreated from the town and took shelter at Saidpur Cantonment in the face of joint attacks by the freedom fighters and allied forces.

A cultural programme was also held at Panchagarh Government Auditorium in the evening.