RANGPUR, Dec 15, 2019 (BSS) – Youth Shawkat Ali Sarkar passed B. Com. Examinations in 1969 when the Bangalees were in the unprecedented noncooperation movement against the Pakistani regime.
Shawkat, second among nine kids of late Ezab Uddin Sarker and late Shoritan Nesa, of village Dakshin Wari (Haservita) in Chilmari upazila in Kurigram, then was to search for a job.
But, the political situation was not in favour of the Bangalees.
The Bangalee nation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was forging a rock-solid unity for the ultimate independence to get of rid of injustice, deprivation, exploitation and torture.
Talking to BSS in an exclusive interview, Shawkat, now 71, said the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu instantly united the Bangalees irrespective of caste, creed and religion to prepare for the ultimate War for Independence.
As per their heinous plans, the Pakistani army cracked down on innocent Bangalees at night on March 25 in 1971 to eliminate Bangalees through genocide, arson, rape, torture and abuse.
Shawkat, the brave son of this soil, could no longer control himself.
“Being inspired by the direction of the War of Independence given by Bangabandhu in his March 7 speech, I left home to protect the honour of our motherland,” he said.
Crossing the Brahmaputra, Shawkat joined the War of Liberation at Roumari area, separated by the Brahmaputra from mainland, in the beginning of the war.
Shawkat said, “One platoon Bangalee soldiers of the 3rd Bengal Regiment in Saidpur cantonment, with heavy rocket launchers and light machine guns came to Roumari by river route via Palashbari of Gaibandha.”
Freedom fighters Sadakat Hossain Chakku Mian and Nurul Islam Pappu started conducting training of youths at Roumari under leadership of Subedar Altaf Hossain.
After completing training at Roumari, youths from Gaibandha, Tangail and Sirajganj started participating in various operations along with heroic freedom fighters across the country.
Roumari remained occupation free under Sector No. 6 during the War of Liberation as a safe haven for training of freedom fighters and the Pakistani army could never arrive there.
Knowing about Roumari safe zone for freedom fighters, the Pakistan army came to Chilmari at the mainland by train and built a strong base there.
Shawkat participated in dozens of warfare, including the Kodalkati, Chilmari, Kamarjani, Tarabar Ghat and Hatia frontal battles and many guerrilla operations in 1971.
“We planned to attack the Pakistani army base at Chilmari on August 1 and created stiff resistance to break up their strong base. But amidst strong resistance, we had to retreat to Telipara Char,” he said.
“Later, Pakistani army came to Telipara Char by gunboats from Bahadurabad Ghat and tried to surround us from two sides. But finally they could not survive to our strength and had to retreat,” Shawkat said.
Two days later, Pakistani army crossed the Brahmaputra with the help of their collaborators at Mohanganj and stayed at Bhelabari School camp in nearby Kodalkati area of Rajibpur Thana.
“We took position in a drain next to the Pakistani army camp under the leadership of Subedar Altaf and the firing began between the two sides at night and continued for seven days,” Shawkat remembered.
“It was widely known as the ‘Kodalkati Battle’ when the Pakistani army was forced to retreat after intense firing from freedom fighters,” he said.
“Later, one beggar told us that the Pakistani army carried 200 to 250 bodies during the week-long battle,” he said, adding that 21 freedom fighters were martyred in that war.
After the successful guerrilla operation, we attacked Sundarganj Thana in Gaibandha and as our enemy fled leaving behind huge weapons.
Shawkat said the ‘Hatia Battle’ was a significant one during the War of Liberation.
“The battle began at dawn on November 13. I led the attacks on Pakistani army with a 25-member group of freedom fighters. The occupation forces launched counter-attacks.
A number of freedom fighters were martyred in that battle where Shawkat was shot at his leg on that day.
The Pakistani army with their local collaborators then killed 697 innocent Bangalees at Dagarkuthi area in Hatia union of nearby Ulipur Thana.
“After getting initial treatments at Roumari, I went to Teldhala Medical Centre in India for advanced treatment and returned just before the country became independent,” Shawkat said.
“Wounds in my body have healed, but, in heart not yet, as many war criminals and razakars are still to be tried,” he said.
“Nevertheless, I have forgotten the hardships of those days to little extent by punishing many Razakars by own hands,” Shawkat added.
Shawkat got gallantry award of Bir Bikram for his bravery, sacrifice and contribution as a freedom fighter in the War of Liberation.
He is currently President of the Chilmari Upazila Awami League and the Chairman of Chilmari Upazila Parishad.