RANGPUR, Dec 14, 2018 (BSS) – The northernmost Tentulia Thana area in
Panchagarh remained occupation-free and unconquerable centre for freedom
fighters till the ultimate victory in 1971.
Talking to BSS, local freedom fighters and people of Tentulia said they
still feel proud of resisting the Pakistani army from crossing their last
defense position at Amarkhana point during the nine-month War of Liberation
period.
Former Tentulia Upazila Muktijoddha Commander Kazi Mahbubur Rahman said
all hats and bazaars functioned well in Tentulia Thana keeping civic life
normal and freedom fighters were going to India and coming back freely to
liberate the country.
“Recruitment of freedom fighters, their trainings, supply of arms and
ammunitions and planning of attacks were being conducted freely at Tentulia
creating a severe threat to the Pakistani army,” he said.
Tentulia Thana of Panchagarh in 1971 becomes well-known internationally
as top organisers of the War of Liberation. Political leaders in exile
frequently visited the area and freedom fighters conducted their activities
from there for national independence.
Retired Principal of local Bhajanpur Degree College Shafikul Islam said
hundreds of Bengalese frequently participated in the pro-liberation
processions in Tentulia chanting slogans ‘Joy Bangla’ in free atmosphere.
Following stiff resistances created by freedom fighters with support of
common people, Tentulia Thana under Sector No-6 remained free from occupation
stimulating the War of Liberation toward ultimate victory.
“Frequent fierce attacks from freedom fighters, the Pakistani army could
never touch the sovereignty of Tentulia, surrounded by Indian territories
from the three directions of west, east and north,” Islam said.
Retired Headmaster of Tentulia Pilot High School Jahirul Haque said
Tentulia became an important place to reflect aspirations of the independence
seeker Bangalees.
“International journalists like Mark Tully and William Crowley, visited
Tentulia, photographed the War of Liberation in Bhajanpur fronts and
interviewed heroic freedom fighters, common people and refugees for global
media coverage,” he said.
He said Prime Minister of the Bangladesh government in exile Tajuddin
Ahmed, Finance Minister Captain Mansur Ali, Home Minister AHM Kamruzzaman,
Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam and Colonel MAG Osmani frequently visited
Tentulia in 1971.
“Sector Commander M K Bashar, Sub-sector Commander Squadron leader
Sadruddin, Captain Nazrul, Captain Shahriar, Lieutenants Masud and Matin were
stationed at Tentulia Sub-sector of Sector No-6 to conduct the War of
Liberation,” Haque added.
Recalling memories, elderly citizens Delwar Hossain, Morsheda Siddique
and Basir Uddin said they frequently took part in the pro-liberation
processions with their classmates and chanted slogans ‘Joy Bangla’ in free
atmosphere of Tentulia.
“One day, Tajuddin Ahmed came to Tentulia and addressed a rally
participated by thousands of independence-seeker Bangalees, freedom fighters,
political leaders, activists and foreign journalists,” said Former Chairman
of Bhajanpur union Emdadul Haque.
In his speech, Tajuddin Ahmed highly appreciated the heroism and bravery
of the people of Tentulia, urged the people not to lose courage to continue
the war until the ultimate and assured victory was achieved, Emdadul added.
Elderly businessman Mokhlesur Rahman said, “The Tentulia High School
ground factually turned into a mini cantonment for freedom fighters as they
conducted the War of Liberation from there till ultimately defeating the
occupation forces.”
Freedom fighter Aiyub Ali thanked the government for constructing
‘Swadhinotar Tirthobhumi Tentulia’ and ‘Muktanchol of 1971’ Gate to
immortalise legendary role of occupation-free Tentulia to achieve ultimate
victory winning the War of Liberation.