Spotlight

A liberation hero of Bhatiyapara…

Abdullah Al Jannat Newaz

THIS writing is about a illustrious heroic freedom fighter, Syed Mushtaq Ali, who was born in a village named “Chapta”, P.O.- Kasiani in the Gopalgonj district.

During the liberation war in Bangladesh he fought as a freedom fighter under Sector-8 in Bhatiyapara. He was a trained freedom fighter. During the war he came face to face with Pakistani army in two different places: one is in Dhaka Aricha Ghat and another at Bhatiyapara. But he was able to emerge unscathed from both places.

During the Bangladesh liberation war Syed Mushtaq Ali set a camp for the “Mukti Bahini.” Mr. Hafizur Rahman, a commander of the renowned “mujib bahini” took the responsibility of the camp. Once, under the command of Mr. Hafizur Rahman and Syed Mushtaq Ali, the freedom fighters attacked the village of “Barashura”. And on that battle notorious rajakar Hashem Sarder was killed. One freedom fighter was also injured in counter attack.

Here a noticeable point is that even when the Pakistani army surrendered on 16th December, 1971, the war was going on at Bhatiyapara. And at last on 21st December Bhatiyapara became a free zone from Pakistani army and freedom was achieved. We salute Syed Mushtaq Ali for his unconditional love and concern for our motherland.

(Department of Mechanical engineering, 4th year)

Mirza M Eyahia
Born: 1952
Freedom Fighter of Sector 2
“Mirza”, as his friends fondly know him, is one of the first persons I met during my marriage. Mirza (Dula) Bhai was a first year student of economics at Chittagong University when the Muktijuddha started.
“When you do something for your Mother, should you expect anything in return? We fought for our Mother, Bangladesh. We fought for you. Personally, I never expected any benefit in return for participating in our Muktijuddha. I still stick to this position. But then, in the afternoon of my life, I wonder if I could ever have the opportunity to thank all the people who risked their own lives for us. Time is cruel. I probably will never have that opportunity”!

Rezwanul Amin
Born: 1951
Freedom Fighter of Sector 2
I met Reza Bhai through Mirza Bhai. The two comrades are from Comilla. Reza Bhai was a first year student in economics at Dhaka University when the Muktijuddha started. Both Mirza and Reza Bhai fought in 1971 because that was the only option open for them in the circumstances.
“If I start talking about 1971, I may never be able to finish” Reza Bhai said. “However, there is one person whom Mirza and I sometimes recall. After our training in Tripura, we entered Bangladesh en route Chandina. We almost walked the entire path. The terrains were treacherous and dangerous. It was during this journey we had Munir as our guide. He was a few years senior to us. I will never forget the sincerity Munir showed to us. Here was a man who was risking his own life to see that we reach our destination safely. It was the war that brought us together as brothers. The war ended. Bangladesh became free. I know I'll never see Munir again. But the question haunts me to this very day. Wasn't Munir also a freedom fighter? Would we have been able to create Bangladesh without the help of all those Munirs”?

Asrar Chowdhury is a Faculty in Economics at Jahangirnagar University. Email: asrarul@gmail.com