Jessore liberation memorial Victory '71 opens

JESSORE, Jan 3: A sculpture of Victory '71 was unveiled by the Sector Commander of Sector no 8 of the Liberation War in 1971, Lt. Col (Retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury on December 7 last to mark the historic liberation day of Jessore from the clutch of Pakistani occupation army.

A gathering of selected people including Ali Reza Raju MP, Khan Tipu Sultan MP, Waliul Islam and freedom fighters Rabiul Alam, Khoirat Hossain, Ashok Roy, FM Nuruddin, Pigus Kanti Bhattachaya, Mukul Siddiki, Hasinur Rahman, and Advocate Sharif Abdur Rakib, Secretary of the Jessore unit of Awami League, were present in the function.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Jessore Aminur Rasul read out the address of welcome.

Abdul Malek Mia, former DC of Jessore, chalked out the plan to erect the sculpture of Victory '71 in a bid to uphold the spirit and values of the Liberation War for the new generations. He was a freedom fighter and fought under Sector no 8 during the Liberation War. He selected the site at New Khoirtala turning point, which is gateway to Jessore Cantonment and local town..

A-130 member committee with DC Abdul Malek Mia as convenor was formed to implement the project. Abdul Malek Mia laid the foundation stone of the sculpture on the Independence Day on March 26, 1998. People from all walks contributed generously in the construction work.

The Sculpture was named as Victory '71 through a competition. Sculptor Badrul Islam Nannu formerly Assistant Professor of Khulna Art College, was given the respnsibility to construct the sculpture. Enayet Hossain, assisted Badrul Islam Nannu in constructing the sculpture. A total of Taka 950,000 was spent to complete the 32 feet high sculpture.

It is 10 feet in radius with three angles, erected on a triangle shaped landscape.

Sculptor Badrul Islam Nannu explaining the theme of the sculpture, informed that three angles mean nine months of Liberation War, inserted eight figures mean Sector no 8, a woman with a pigeon in hand symbolises peace, a child with a big 'V' in hand means victory and a big procession led by freedom fighters symbolises the mourning of martyrs who laid down their valuable lives in the Liberation War of 1971

The liberation of Jessore was a miracle. It was unexpectedly unopposed by the Pakistani occupation army and without any bloodshed.

Valiant freedom fighters backed by the Allied forces led the offensive on November 21. A fierce fighting took place at Muktinagor in Jessore western front. Pakistani occupation army suffered crushing defent in this battle and they were totally annihilated. This defeat rocked the Pakistan Army and their commandants felt nervous to counter the freedom fighters and the Allied forces.

The occupation Pakistan army retreated towards Khulna vacating their "Lelinguard of the East"-- Jessore Cantonment well before arrival of the freedom fighters and the Allied forces. In fact from Jessore Cantonment, 600 kilometre-long borders with India from Bheramera to the Bay of Bengal, were being controlled by Pakistani Major General Showkat Rija during the beginning of the Liberation War. General Ansari took the charge on the thresholed of the war. Jessore was under the jurisdiction of Sector no 8.

Maj Abu Osman Chowdhury, Commander of EPR, Chuadanga was the Sector commander of Sector no 8. He was replaced by Maj M A Manzoor after his return from Pakistan in mid August 1971. Maj Gen Manzoor was killed in May in 1981.

Captain Khondoker Nazmul Huda, Captain Shafiullah, Capt Salahuddin, Capt. Shabuddin capt AR Azam Chowdhury, Capt Mustafizur Rahman. Capt. Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and Lt Jahangir fought as Sub-Sector Commanders under this sector during the Liberation War.

Reinforced by the Allied forces under the command of Lt Gen Raina, freedom fighters moved towards Jessore. In the early hours on December 7, 1971 when they came they found the cantonment and the town completely vaccant and deserted. No living human beings were there excepting barking dogs fighting with hungry vultures to snatch the decomposed bodies scattered on the streets. Such a scene was horrible and dreadful, ever found in our history of memorable past.