It has been decades since Bangladesh achieved independence, yet 10 Biranganas (Liberation War Heroines) in Naogaon have not received state recognition for their sacrifices in 1971.
The women are from the Raninagar upazila in Naogaon. They all live in the Ataikula Palpara village. Renu Bala, Maya Sutradhar, Rashmuni Sutradhar, Kalidashi Pal, Shushma Pal, Shandha Pal, Khanta Bala Pal are still living in the area. Bani Pal and Kanta Pal, who have passed away, were also unrecognized Biranganas from the same village.
Local Freedom Fighters and family of the Biranganas expressed grief over the state’s silence in honouring the women for their sacrifices.
Ataikula Palpara village, 1971
The Ataikula Palpara village is situated near the Jamuna River, about seven kilometres away from Raninagar upazila sadar.
On April 25, 1971, around 9am, the Pakistani occupation forces—with the help of collaborating razakars—began an assault on the village and its people.
At the residence of Shereshwar Pal they lined up 52 people and opened fire. Among them were: Bikkhay Shutradhar, Nibaran Pal, Govind Charan Pal, and Shereshwar Pal himself.
After the killing, the Pakistani occupation forces assaulted several women of the village. They then left for Naogaon town. They also torched several houses.
A survivor of the atrocities, Kalidashi Pal, 78, said: “We tried to hide from the Pakistanis. But, they broke our front door and dragged out my husband. They killed him along with 52 others.
“When I begged them to not kill my husband, they assaulted me. It has been decades since that day, but nobody recognizes what happened to us.”
Shushma Pal, another Birangana, said: “The Pakistani occupation forces assaulted me that day. I was hiding with my little son; they heard his cries and came for us.”
Deceased Bani Pal’s younger brother Jayant Pal said: “The Pakistanis started hitting our father in front of my sister Bani. She snatched the rifle from the occupation forces and threw it in the well.
“She was just a young girl back then, but she was so brave. Bani still could not save father, he was brutally killed. She was severely injured yet she was not spared from assault.”
‘Not even listed as Freedom Fighters’
Local man Gautam Pal said: “It is truly regrettable that these women are not even listed as Freedom Fighters.
“We went to the National Freedom Fighter Council with our issue. An investigation team headed by the upazila nirbahi officer is looking into the matter.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Al Mamun said: “We are going to go to the ministry. We want the Biranganas to receive the recognition and facilities they deserve.
“We have already submitted our report to the National Freedom Fighter Council.”
Md Israfil Alam, a local lawmaker, said: “Our current prime minister is very kind towards people who have shown bravery and made great sacrifices during the Liberation War.
“We will take the necessary steps to ensure these ten women get the state recognition they deserve.”