Chandpur became independent today in 1971

Chandpur became independent today. Today is December 8, Chandpur Free Day. On this day in 1971, Chandpur district was liberated from the clutches of the Pakistani aggressors. On this day, the late BLF chief Rabiul Awal Kiran hoisted the first flag of independent Bangladesh in front of Chandpur police station.

On 4 April 1971, two SewerJet aircraft of the occupying forces randomly bombed the entire city of Chandpur. And through this the first attack was started in this district. On that day, two people, including a woman, were killed in Puranbazar and Bara station areas by sailing bullets.

On the afternoon of 8 April, the members of the Pakistani aggressors marched from Cumilla Cantonment to Chandpur with a large convoy. On the way, Mudaffarganj and Hajiganj were attacked by the freedom fighters. Forced to avoid the attack, the soldiers rushed to the Government Technical High School near Chandpur town and took shelter. And the army officers took position in Wapda Rest House and Zila Parishad’s post bungalow.

After overcoming the initial push, the Pakistani forces were able to take a much more advantageous position. The steam roller of torture is turned on. They set up special torture cells at 8 places like Chandpur big station, technical school, Wapda rest house, Puranbazar police outpost etc. Those who have come and gone by train, launch, steamer and waterway, including the city and its environs, are brought to these torture cells if there is any suspicion and after being tortured and raped, the bodies are dumped in the Meghna and Padma rivers.

According to the statistics of the freedom fighters, the Pak army killed more than 15,000 people in 8 torture cells in Chandpur.

Gradually the freedom fighters came back with a strong attack. Following this, the Pakistani aggressors could not stand the onslaught of the Mukti Bahini and the Allied forces in the Chitoshi, Hajiganj, Mudafarganj, Baburhat and Faridganj areas of the district on 7 December 1971. Late at night, they started fleeing by boat on two ships.

On the morning of 8 December, the Allies and the freedom fighters entered Chandpur with tanks and on hearing that the Pak army had fled, they bombed and drowned about 500 Pakistani soldiers in the MV Loram into river. Chandpur was completely liberated from Pakistani aggression.

Several memorials have been built in Chandpur in memory of those who were martyred in Chandpur in the last 8 months. Notable among the memorials are the monument ‘Angikar’ floating on the lake in the city and ‘Muktisaudha’ in memory of the first 4 martyrs of Chandpur, ‘Oath fountain’ in memory of all the martyrs at the corner of 5 streets of the city, ‘Raktadhara’ in the massacre ground of Chandpur big station.

On the occasion of Chandpur Free Day, like every year, Vijay Mela was held at Hasan Ali Government High School ground in the city. But this event is not happening due to coronavirus this year.

News Room, December 08, 2020