Foundation laid 10 years ago, no fund yet for memorial

Plants and creepers start growing around the foundation stone of the memorial for Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Birshreshtha, laid by the martyred freedom fighter's father 10 years ago at Chapainawabganj, as the construction work is yet to start due to lack of funds. PHOTO: STAR

Today is the 38th death anniversary of Birshreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir.
On this day in 1971, just two days before the final victory, he embraced martyrdom in a battle with the Pakistani occupation forces at Rehaichar in Chapainawabganj town.
But no memorial has been constructed at the place during 38 years of independence.
In 1999, a foundation was laid for construction of memorial there but it is yet to be done for lack of funds, said local freedom fighters.
On December 10 in 1971, Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir along with 50 freedom fighters crossed Mohananda River and engaged in a fight against Pak army.
On December 13, Jahangir took position near Rehaichar Mohalla in Chapainawabganj town. The valiant freedom fighter went ahead of his group and charged grenade in the trench of Pak army on December 14. Hit by a bullet from the Pak army, he died on the spot.
The next day, he was buried on the premises of Sonamasjid in presence of Commander of Sector 7 Lt Col Kazi Nuruzza man and local Awami League leaders.
Another martyred freedom fighter Major Nazmul Haque was also buried on Sonamasjid premises.
As district Muktijoddha Sangsad and the principal of Birshreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir College took an initiative to construct a monument, martyred Jahangir's father Abdul Motaleb Howlader come to Chapainawabganj from Barisal and laid the foundation stone at the place of martyrdom in 1999.
"There has been an attempt to raise funds from local people to construct a memorial for the great martyr. A fund is kept with the deputy commissioner of Chapainawa bganj but it is too inadequate to construct a memorial," Alauddin Ali, convener of district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad said.
When asked, Chapainawa bganj DC KM Ali Azam said, "I have joined here recently. I will see the matter."
Freedom fighters and locals have arranged Qurankhani, milad mahfil and discussion on Sonamsjid premises today.