Chittagong witnessed the hoisting of the national flag of a newborn country on this very day in 1971, following the surrender of the Pakistani army.
A number of former freedom fighters recalled that the formal surrender was delayed here as the Joint Force of Bangladesh and India arrived on December 17, a day after the country formally achieved victory over Pakistan.
“Victory was our absolute pride. Unfortunately as the events unfolded, the port city was liberated on December 17, a day later than Dhaka,” they recounted.
Nonetheless, the belated victory was distinct. The occupation army lined up at the Chittagong Circuit House to surrender and witness the freedom fighters’ triumph, said Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, a commander of freedom fighters.
“Two divisions of freedom fighters, one led by Deputy Commander Major Rafiqul Islam, was obstructed by the occupation army at Kumira of Shitakunda on December 16. The Joint Commands, however, defeated them and entered the city on December 17,” he said.
Engineer Afsar Uddin, who was the joint commander of the Bengal Liberation Front and Freedom Fighters sent a group of fighters to Kalurghat Radio Station to broadcast news of victory. “To maintain law and order in the city from December 17, we were deployed at the strategic points. I was responsible for Bandar, Pahartali and Double Mooring.
“It was our duty to contain the situation and make sure that the excited Bengalis did not harm the Biharis,” he said.
Terming the day the most memorable of his life, he said thousands of people took to the streets with national flags, rejoicing and chanting “Joy Bangla.”
People from all walks of life embraced the freedom, except for the Razakars, al-Badrs and the notorious gang of Fazlul Quadir Choudhry.
Raisul Huq Bahar said although the country was officially free on December 16, the formal surrender in Chittagong took place held around 9am on December 17.
Pakistani Army Officer Shamshad Ali Khan recalls his experience with his Indian counterparts in a Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune, on December 16, 2011.
In his writing, he termed the surrender ceremony as, “My painful journey to surrender.”
He said he witnessed the citizens of Chittagong celebrating “India’s victory.” Young girls and boys clad in colourful clothes, carried Indian and Bangladeshi flags. Vehicles ran on roads playing loud music. People shouted anti-Pakistan and pro-India slogans and “Joy Bangla.” Within 20 to 30 minutes of surrender, people and vehicles thronged in the streets.
“I am the only unfortunate officer who witnessed that painful sight. The tormenting thought and feelings that crossed my mind cannot be expressed through words,” he wrote.
Dr Mahfuzur said the spirit of the Liberation War could be resurrected by implementing good governance and ensuring accountability in every sector of the state.
