A music video has motivated help and support for warrior queen of Thakurgaon Tepri Rani.
During the War of Liberation in 1971, Tepri Rani was tortured by the Pakistani occupation army at a camp in Thakugaon’s Ranisankail.
The song “Aamar ma jononi birongona” penned by Additional Police Super Dewan Lalon Ahamed draws attention to Tepri Rani’s daily struggle.
Upon seeing the video, Thakurgaon deputy commissioner ordered immediate help for her and managed a home for her within three days.
At the opening ceremony of Thakurgaon book fair on Tuesday, prime minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi handed over gifts and the keys of the house to Tepri Rani.
Dr Gowher Rizvi said: “After the end of the great Liberation War of 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave Birongonas the status of his daughter. Arrangements to rehabilitate them were taken along with shelter and financial compensation.
“Arrangements of work according to their educational qualifications had also been taken. The present government later recognized them as freedom fighters,” he added.
Lyricist of the song Dewan Lalon said: "We hold the ideals of Bangabandhu, the great Liberation War, and Bangladesh in our hearts. To inform our new generation about these I wrote “Kado Bangali Aj Kado Sobai”, “Pochise March” to show support towards these warrior queens “Birongonas.”
According to Dewan Lalon, the music brings out the history of Tepri Rani who was snatched by Pakistani invaders and razakars, and tortured for six months.
Dewan Lalon Ahmed is a cyber crime expert with the Bangladesh Police, his specialty being mobile phone centric crimes.
His writings, poems and essays are published in national journals. He is regular writer in Bangladesh Police's Detective magazine. As a blogger he has received prizes from the Prothom Alo Blog. His book “Babar Chokhe Muktijuddho” has been appreciated in the book fair in 2016.
Tepri Rani said: “Pakistani invaders and razakars assaulted me and threatened to kill my family members. I used to repeatedly request Pakistani soldiers to kill me. The thought of suicide came to my mind but I tolerated it all thinking of everyone. When I remember the abuse, I still get scared.
“After liberation, we started living again in the Bolidara village but we were persecuted by the locals for about two years. Nobody used to socialize with us. In 1973, my husband Matang Roy died. Since then, I have been suffering with my two sons and daughter. My son Sudhir is a war hero who now makes a living by pulling a van,” she added.
Monday, July 20, 2026
