Thakurgaon tasted freedom on this day in '71

On this day in 1971, Thakurgaon was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces.

A heavy gun battle took place at night on December 1 in 1971 between freedom fighters and Pakistani forces.

Failing to resist freedom fighters and allied forces, the occupation forces started to leave the town from December 2 morning. They completed withdrawal by that night and took shelter at Saidpur Cantonment.

Next morning, the freedom fighters entered the town. People from all walks of life came out on the streets in the town chanting slogan 'Joy Bangla' with freedom fighters.

During the war period a large number of innocent people were killed by the Pakistani forces and their collaborators in Thakurgaon.

Rickshaw puller Mohammad Ali was the first martyr of the Liberation War in Thakurgaon. He was shot dead by Pakistani army on March 27.

In Jathibhanga village under Sadar upazila of the district, at least 3500 innocent people including women and children of different villages who were fleeing to India for safety were killed and buried by the Pakistani forces and their local collaborators.

Skulls and bones of more than 8,500 people were recovered from Khuniadighi under Ranishankoil upazila of the district after Liberation War. They were killed during the Liberation War and their bodies thrown into a big pond.

Freedom fighters and allied forces intensified attacks on the Pakistani forces from the beginning of November in the area.

The freedom fighters took control of Amarkhana on November 20, Jagdalhat on November 25,. Shingpara village on November 26, Talma village on November 27, Panchagarh CO Office, Atwary, Mirzapur on November 28 and finally entire Panchagarh was liberated on November 29, 1971.

The Pakistani occupation army and their collaborators fled the areas and soldiers took shelter at Thakurgaon EPR camp after leaving Panchagarh.

To mark the day, district unit of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad and district unit of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi jointly have taken different programmes including placing wreaths on the martyrs' monument and Shaheed Mohammad Ali and Naresh Chowhan's graves, bringing out colourful procession titled 'Mukti Shovajatra' in the town.  

Discussion on Liberation War, recitation, drama and cultural programme will also be held at the district's Central Shaheed Minar in the town.

Former Water Resources Minister and lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen is supposed to attend the programme as chief guest.