Tungipara , Gopalgong

To handover the political power to the elected members in the election in 1970 the Pakistani rulers started delaying and then the father of the nation Bangobandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman had given his historical speech on 7 March 1971 against the Pakistani rulers. In that amazing speech the seeds of freedom lied down which had been exposed on 25th march with the declaration of independence through E P R wireless message.

Tungipara was the birthplace of Bangobandhu. So people of all classes of Tungipara paying their response to Bangobandhu started fighting against the Pakistani rulers for the independence.

That time the younger brother of Bangobandhu, Sheikh Abu Naser, came to the village and started gathering young people as the future plan of fighting against the Pakistani rulers. He took Panna Biswas and went India. After a few days Sheikh Kamal came to the village and with the help of Kazi Mostofa, the former E P R member of Kerailkopa, and Mr. Rashed, an army soldier, organized the young people to take part in the liberation war. After that they all went to India to take necessary training for the war. At the meantime Major Abdur Rahman from Gimadanga started collecting young people at Ghonapara to make another group of freedom fighter.

On 17 March Bangladeshi flag was raised in the air at Patgati Bazar for the first time. Saiyod Nurul Haque (Manik Mia), Sheikh Motaleb, Colonel Abdur Rahman, Mozibor Rahman Molla, Solaiman Kholifa, Sakhawat Shikder, Sheikh Shohidul Islam, Akbor Ali Shikdar, Abul Bashar, Ranga, Sheikh Alomgir Hossain Dilu, Sheikh Lutfor Rahman, Sheikh M Jahangir Hossain, S M Enamul Hoque, Sheikh Liakot Hossain, A. Kuddus Fokir, Momen Shorif, Solaiman Shikdar,Abdul Ali Molla, Salu kha and many other people were present there.

As Sheikh Jamal fled away from Dhanmondi 32, the Pakistani military came to Bangobandhu’s residence to search him on 19 May 1971. They burnt the house with fire and killed at least six innocent people of that village. They were Sheikh Mintu, Kazi Torab Ali, Sheikh Arshad Ali, Md Liakot Ali Liku, Dhola Mia Kobiraz and Sordar. Sheikh Borhan Uddin was caught by Pakistani military but his aunt introduced him as a servant to the Pakistani commander made him safe. Military tried to catch Sheikh Akram Hossain, Kazi Shafiul Alam and Sheikh Imam Hossain. Sheikh Akram was able to flee away and rest of them escaped themselves into the store room of Kazi Nowser Ali.

In the circumstance the father and mother of Bangobandhu was sheltered by Moulovi Abdul Bari Biswas. But that place was not safe enough, so they were taken to the house of Jhilu Biswas after a few days. When the war began very hardly they were sheltered in Shibchor with the help of Alam and Faruk, two members of Hemayet Force.

Most of the freedom fighters of Tungipara had been taken their training and arms from Bagundia of India. It is mentioned that no big war had taken place in Tungipara. Because the area was impassable in that time. So the Pakistani militaries guarded through the rivers with their gunboat all the time. As a result, the freedom fighters of this area fought many parts of the country.

Ali Akbor Shikdar had collected arms from the Bagundia camp and with the help of Captain Afzal entered into Bangladesh. They fought against the Pakistani militaries at Owapda in Satkhira. Then they attacked Alipur Mahmudpur E P R camp and the Pakistani militaries surrendered there. Captain Afzal fought under the instruction of Abdul Jalil who was the commander of sector 9.

Patgati’s Shirazul kholifa was a member of E P R in 1971. He was connected with 5th wing of Khulna. In the days of fearful March, with many Bangali members including him were taken to Jhumjhumpur camp at Jessore. On 26 March late night when the Pakistani militaries jumped over them, they began to take steps against the Pakistani military.

He went to Chakulia at Bihar in India to take necessary training. Then he with Bangobandhu’s younger Brother Sheikh Naser and Panna Biswas were taken to Bagundia camp by Indian Captain Shepa. After completing training they came to Chitolmari with many freedom fighters. They were commended by Shamsu Mollik, a brave freedom fighter of Chitolmari. Under his command they made an operation in Madhobkathi Madrasa and after a whole day of destructive fighting the Pakistani militaries were compelled to escape and the launches of the Pakistani’s were sunk in the river.

Shirazul kholifa fought many places of the country. Sometimes he carried information of Bangobandhu’s parents to his younger brother Sheikh Abu Naser.

Biswas Shirajul Haque Panna (Panna Biswas) was deeply connected with "Chattro League" when he was studying in Bangobandhu Govt. College in Gopalganj formerly the college was known as Kayede Azom College. In that time the influence of student organization NSF was terrific. Panna, Lalu, Ismat kadir and others who were the founder of Chattroleague in Gopalganj got conflicted many times with NSF. When the former Minister Ohiduzzaman failed to pass the election of 70, the NSF became more dangerous. After the declaration of 7th march from Bangobandhu Panna Biswas with his fellow were trying to prepare them. After Sheikh Abu Naser coming from Dhaka to Tungipara he joined with him. After staying here some days he went to India taking Panna Biswas with him to take training in Taky camp in India.

After completing training he came to Chitolmari at Bagerhat. They fought against the Pakistani military in Madhobkathi Madrasa under the instruction of Shamsu Mollik. The fight was terrible. It took a long time to make Pakistani military surrendered. The local people helped a lot. They supplied food and information. Fighting in the muddy lake the freedom fighters hurt much. So for taking some treatment Panna Biswas along with Aiub Ali Biswas, Sabed Molla and other 5 or 6 freedom fighters came to Tungipara.

Here he gave the village people arms and her father’s rifle and united to take part in the war. he fought here along with her fellow against the military and took control of the surrounding rivers of Tungipara. So the local people found themselves in peace. His physical condition became worse gradually so to take good treatment she went to India again and after getting treatment he joined in ‘Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra’ as a news contributor. Some days later he joined with the Exile Government of Bangladesh. Sheikh Md. Liakot Hossain had taken training in ‘Ansar’ in 1969. In 1970 a conflict occurred about tearing off the pictures of Bangobandhu in Patgati Bazar. Abdul Ali of Gohordanga was killed then. So a case was set up against Sheikh Md. Liakot Ali, Sheikh Md. Lutfor Rahman, and Sheikh Md. Belayet Hossain. Later they got relief in bail order when the marshal law was perished. Then Liakot joined in Shamsu Mollik’s camp as a freedom fighter. He fought in the Dhopakhali against the Pakistani militaries. In this battle 7 Pakistanis and 13 militaries had died. Then he joined Chorkulia battle field. And then he went to India with Sheikh Mosharaf Hossain and Sheikh Lutfor Rahman for training. He came back to Bangladesh and took part in Mobarakgonj, Kaligonj battle in Jessore under Abdul Jalil’s command. At that battle he wounded one leg by the bullet of Pakistani military. He was a brave and valiant freedom fighter.

On 10 March 1971 the members of Borni Union Ali Molla, Gazi Md. Salah Uddin, Moktar Hossain Molla, and Harunur Rashid took Demy rifle from Gopalgonj and started Gerila attack in several places.Taking training from India Sheikh Ahmed Mirza joined in the liberation war under Major Jolil in sector 9 . They made barricade in Jessore town along with Md. Foikuzzaman, a member of Borni Union.

Soiyod Sirajul Islam (Fokrul) had taken his training from Bagundia camp of Birvum. His commander was Captain Sultan. He was condemned in ‘Agartala Mamla’. Sirajul Islam fought in Satkhira, kaliganj under Captain Beg’s leadership. In this battle Beg was wounded in his hand by bullet. He fought in Kulia, Debhata along with Abdul Razzak. They lost 19 arms and later found in the river. Soiyod Sirajul Islam established a camp in Ramdia, Gopalgonj. He waved the victory flag on 5 December in Old Police Line in Gopalganj.

Sheikh Belayet Hossain sacrificed his life in the battle of liberation war. He was laid in Baliadanga in Kotalipara.

Kazi Bodrul Alam fought in sector no 8. He lost his one eye in the war of liberation. In 1971, month of ‘Asar’ Pakistani military and their compeer killed general people at random; they fired all the houses in Dumuria Bazar. When they came across to the Vorani the freedom fighters attacked them. In that time many people died and wounded. Among them Gurubor, Deben Baroi, Rajen Mondol, Akram were mentioned and many people died who were unknown.

On 23rd ‘Ashar’ in the house of Patgati’s chairman Nurul Hoque was attacked by "Hemayet Force". Seven commanders and one hounded freedom fighters took part in it. Abdus Salam had died at that time and Abul Mokit, Abdus sattar shah, Commander Alam and many people were injured. Rofikul Islam Mintu fought in Boyra, Jessore, sectors no 8. He took part in army cantonment battle field.

Fozlul Hoque Moni formed "MUZIB BAHINI" to fight against the Pakistani military. He was a well organizer. Sheikh Shahidul Islam and Sheikh Shahan joined in this force. He gave training to the young people of the village.

On 18 December 1971, former upozilla commander sheikh Shahidul Islam along with 130 freedom fighters entered into Tungipara.

That is how the heroic sons of Tungipara sacrificed their lives to free the country from the tyranny of Pakistani rulers. And the people of Tungipara remind their sacrifices forever.

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