The silent warrior

In remembrance of Masud Sadique Chullu, a brave member of the Crack Platoon who executed valiant guerrilla operations during the Liberation War, the cover of the book "The Silent Warrior: In Memory of Masud Sadique Chullu" was unveiled yesterday.

The book launching ceremony was held at a community centre at Banani Old DOHS in the capital.

The book has been published by Daily Star Books and edited by Yasmeen Sadique, wife of Masud Sadique Chullu, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 72.

Crack Platoon member Golam Dastagir Gazi, while addressing the ceremony as chief guest, said, "That today I'm a "Bir Pratik" is because of Chullu Bhai."

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, also took part in the discussion on the book, while Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, moderated the programme.

Taking part in the discussion as special guest, AB Tajul Islam, former state minister for Liberation War Affairs, said the operation in Hotel Inter-Continental introduced the Liberation War in the international arena.

"This book is written by fellow fighters reminiscing Chullu Bhai. Many unknown avenues of the war will be unveiled if our fellow fighters start writing such reminiscing books", he said.

During her speech, Chullu's wife Yasmeen Sadique said, "I have assembled the book inch by inch, for which my family members and my husband's comrades helped me. I thank them all. I also thank Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, who wrote the book's preface."

Sanjana Sadique, the couple's daughter, said that her father used to talk a lot but never shared anything about the war with them.

"He did not even talk to journalists on occasions of Independence Day or Victory Day. Liberation was simultaneously an issue of valour and agony for him," she added.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said there are many memoirs written on

the Liberation War, but this book stands out from the others for three reasons.

"One is the unheard story of those oppressed during the war. There is one interview of Chullu Bhai and a write-up by Shah Mohammad Farid, both of which describe the agony of those tortured during the war.

"Another unique feature is the story behind the bravery described in the book. We know about the heroism of those fighting in the frontline, but not enough about those who were in the background, supporting the freedom fighters through every step of the way," he added.

Describing the third reason as the one that makes the book unique, he said most of those who took part in the war for freedom had a political background.

"But the speciality of Chullu Bhai was that he was non-political since the very beginning. It was the oppression of the Pakistan army that inspired him to join the fight for freedom," said Anam. 

Moin Ghani, son-in-law of Masud Sadique Chullu, freedom fighter Ali Ahmed Ziauddin (Bir Protik), Habibul Alam (Bir Protik), Shahidullah Khan Badal, Minu Haque and Rizwan Bin Farouq, cousin of Masud Sadique Chullu also spoke at the ceremony.