Photo: BSS

KUSHTIA, Dec 11, 2025 (BSS) - Today is December 11, the Kushtia Free Day. On this day in 1971, Kushtia district, the birthplace of the Liberation War, was liberated from the Pakistani occupying forces. Kushtia (Mujibnagar), currently in Meherpur district, was the first temporary capital of Bangladesh.

Due to this, the atrocities and attacks of the Pakistani occupying forces were the most in the district. But, the occupying forces faced resistance from Mukti Bahini in this district from the beginning of the Liberation War.

In the early hours of March 30, 1971, the Mukti Bahini attacked the camp of the Pakistani occupying forces in Kushtia District School, while many Pakistani soldiers were killed. On April 1, the Pakistani forces fled from Kushtia. Kushtia was liberated for the first time.

Later, the Mujibnagar government was formed on April 10. Then the Pakistani forces again captured Kushtia after 16 days by launching air strikes. A total of 127 small and big bloody battles took place in various places of the district, including Bangshitala, Durbachara, Arpara, Mathbaria, Kakiladah of Mirpur, Kushlibasa and Ghaskhali of Kumarkhali.

On December 9 in 1971, the entire area except Kushtia town was liberated by a joint strike carried out by Mukti Bahini and allied forces. On the night of December 10, the Pakistan army left Kushtia via Pakshi Ghat for Dhaka. On December 11, Kushtia was completely freed.

On that day, thousands of people took to the streets shouting slogans of victory. Barricades were built on the roads. People from various villages, including Haripur-Barkhada, Jugia, Alampur, Dahkola, Ziarukhi, Kaya, Sultanpur, Poradaha, and Baradi in the upazila, came to Kushtia town. They were delight with the joy of freedom.

However, even after 54 years of the country's independence, the places linked to the liberation war in Kushtia still remain neglected. No initiative has been taken to repair or preserve those.

In this regard, Kushtia Additional Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Alam said, "If any repairs are needed anywhere, if they (the freedom fighters) send us information, we will send it to the ministry for repair works. Later, the government will try to find out how to quickly repair those."

Meanwhile, on Thursday, to celebrate the day, various organisations, including the district administration, the District Freedom Fighters Command Unit, have taken various daylong programsme.