Spotlight

Shaheed Rabiul
Awal Khan Kiron

Lutfa Khan

WITH the advent of the Martyred Intellectual Day, once again we cannot but remember our invincible freedom fighters with gratitude and heart-felt love. What we owe to them cannot be repaid. Shaheed Rabiul Awal Khan Kiron and his family members fought for our independence so that we, belonging to a different generation, can live a better life. Rabiul Awal Khan Kiron was born in a dignified Muslim family in 1946 in the village of Majlishpur, Shibpur Thana under the then Narshingdi district. He was the first child among 4 sons and two daughters of Ataur Rahman Khan. His parents used to call him 'Kiron' (light of the sun).

Shaheed Kiron Khan had his education in Chandpur. While he was studying in Chandpur college, he was elected General Secretary of Chandpur College Student Union of Awami League for two times. He graduated in 1968 and was convicted for 'ashohojog andolon' in 1969. Thus, he came back to his village and started to work on parliamentary elections in 1969. He was the muktibahini (freedom fighter) commander of Chandpur district in 1971. He was in-charge of Boromura refugee camp in Agortola, India, and organized freedom fighters from Chandpur District. In 1972, he was a founder member of the central Jubo-League and was elected MP for the first parliamentary election which was held in March 1973. After 1974 he tried his best to carry the true message of Liberation War by fighting the military regime.

Then he was killed on 28 April 1986. 'THEY' killed Rabiul Awal Khan Kiron - an honest down-to-earth popular leader of the local people. The barbarous Pakistani army was kicked out of the sacred soil of Bangladesh, but their leftover cohorts not only successfully survived and flourished following the historic tragic event of 1975, but have also managed to occupy the seat of power! Thus, the godfathers were safe and sound while four killers were hanged after 14 years of his killing.

Freedom fighter Mr. Harun Khan (present president of AL, Shibpur Thana) and Arun Khan - younger brothers of Shaheed Rabiul Awal Khan Kiron can only sense hopelessness at the failure of the country to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of the freedom fighters and punish the war criminals.

Whom should we hold responsible for the murder of Shaheed Rabiul Awal Khan Kiron? The survivors after 1974 have failed to carry the valuable and true meaning of the liberation war to our future generation.