Spotlight

The correct history of our liberation war should be published in an organized way

Interview of Kutubur Rahman taken for Star Campus by Anika Binta Kasem

I have not seen 1971. I was not born then. But, I was lucky to know about 1971 from my family. From my very childhood I have heard many tales of my uncle who was a brave freedom fighter. My uncle is Mr. Kutubur Rahman P.P.M (President Police Medal), former D.I.G of police. He was a Freedom Fighter of Sector 3. Today I am lucky to get a chance to talk to him about 1971.

Star Campus (SC): I have come to know about your participation in our War of Liberation and want to let the world know more about you. What inspired you to go to the Liberation War in 1971?
Kutubur Rahman(KR): The main reason was economical disparity. There was so much inequality between East Pakistan and West Pakistan. Among them one of the most vibrant one was the cultural distinction. We were heading for provincial autonomy and that was the main inspiration.

SC: Please tell us about any incident that you remember the most about 1971.
KR: I had just finished studying for my B.Sc. in 1971 and was seeking admission in DU but on the 26th of March I went to Sylhet for training for the Liberation War. After training I joined Sector 3 where we had an operation at Balla Koyai in Sylhet, which was situated in a tea garden. We, the F Company, under the leadership of Captain Matiur Rahman, ambushed seven military vehicles of the Pakistani Force. We were able to kill about 40-50 Pakistani soldiers and about 40-50 were wounded. In this operation we lost three of our fellow fighters. One was killed on the spot and two were taken prisoners. We heard that one among the two was killed later and one was able to escape from the captors. After this operation the Pakistani army killed about 25-30 workers of the tea garden mercilessly because they did not inform them about the Muktibahini. This incident was a very vibrant one among many incidents of those nine months.

SC: Do you think our generation is ignorant about our country and our freedom fighters?
KR: Yes. I think there is a definite lack of interest among the youngsters about 1971. They are sometimes ignorant about the fact of how our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to liberate this country. But it is not their fault really as the main reason behind it is that sometimes parents do not convey the message properly to their children, which they should. Awareness should begin at home.

SC: Do you think our government is providing enough resources and facilities for the freedom fighters?
KR: No, I do not think any of the government after 1971 has given the proper respect to the freedom fighters. Our freedom fighters deserve a lot more than what they have been provided with.

SC: Do you have any suggestion for the betterment of this situation?
KR: At first, the correct history of our Liberation War should be published in an organized way. And the true history should be included in the syllabus from the primary to the HSC level. The most important thing would be to bring the war criminals to justice. Without this, proper respect will never be shown to 1971. As a nation we won't be able to move forward.

Anika is a student of North South University.