Feni and Jessore observed Liberation Day on Saturday as freedom fighters defeated the Pakistani occupation force and their local collaborators on this day in 1971.
The valiant sons of the districts hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh on that day, following nine months of a bloody struggle.
The people of Feni celebrated the victory as the brutalities of the Pakistani army and their collaborators, including the Razakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams forces, ended on that day with the fleeing of the Pakistani force and their collaborators, reports our Feni correspondent Rafiqul Islam.
The historic day symbolises the triumph of a people’s fight for sovereignty, won at the cost of countless lives.
Every year, the day is commemorated with various programmes in the district.
This year, events began at 10 am at the Liberation War Memorial on College Road, where wreaths were laid. A rally followed, culminating in a discussion at the Deputy Commissioner’s auditorium.
On December 6 in 1971, armed freedom fighters, led by Captain Zafar Imam of Sector 2’s Sub-Sector, entered Feni city through its eastern side.
Later, the first flag of independent Bangladesh in Feni was raised at Rajazir Dighi near Dak Banglow.
The freedom fighters gathered there, chanting slogans of ‘Joy Bangla.’
Veteran freedom fighter Zainal Abedin VP recalled, “At the start of December, we used guerrilla tactics of ‘hit-and-run’ to advance near Panchgachia. On the night of December 5, the Pakistani army retreated through Shubhpur and Baraiyarhat towards Chattogram.”
Deputy Commissioner of Feni Monira Haque said they commemorate the day with enthusiasm and gratitude, remembering the extraordinary courage of Feni’s heroes.
On 6 December, 1971, valiant freedom fighters managed to liberate Jessore from the occupation force of Pakistan after a nine month war.
Thus the district in the country’s south-west became the first to be liberated from the clutches of Pakistan.
Facing fierce resistance from the heroic freedom fighters and the allied forces, the Pakistani soldiers were forced to flee the Jessore cantonment. The blood-soaked red and deep green flag of victorious Bangladesh flew in the sky of Jessore on this day, reports our Khulna divisional correspondent Hedait Hossain.
Marking the day, a victory rally was held in front of the Swadhinata Mancha at the historic Town Hall ground. The day began with the hoisting of the national flag and the national anthem. Then, the colorful rally was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashek Hasan releasing balloons, festoons and pigeons. The rally started from the Town Hall ground and circled important places in the city. At the rally Police Superintendent Syed Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department Rafiqul Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sujan Sarkar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Kamlesh Majumder, Additional District Magistrate Irufa Sultana, freedom fighters, family members of freedom fighters, and President of Jessore Press Club Zahid Hasan Tukun were present.
On the occasion of the day, cultural organizations of Jessore performed cultural programs at the same ground at 4 pm.
