HABIGANJ, Dec 5, 2023 (BSS) - Habiganj Free Day will be observed tomorrow in a befitting manner.

On this day in 1971, the valiant freedom fighters liberated Habiganj by defeating the Pakistani occupation forces.

To observe the day, Muktijoddha Sangsad Habiganj Sadar Upazila unit has chalked out a day-long programme.

After the sunset on December 5, 1971, silence descended on the town of Habiganj and the people of the city were waiting to hear the news of the victory of the freedom fighters on the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.

A few days earlier, the heroic Freedom Fighters had announced their arrival at power station, Shaistnagar and Umednagar by firing heavily. The freedom fighters started firing from across the Khowai River.
There was a camp for Pakistani militia at the site of the present telephone exchange in the Shaistanagar area. However, they left the city, a day before today.

Freedom fighter Nurul Islam Masud was shot dead by collaborators while attacking the residence of Pakistani companion Advocate Mohammad Abdul.

After his martyrdom, the freedom fighters did not face any resistance in the city. Members of the Razakars, Al-Badr and Al Sams forces fled the city at night in the face of intense attacks by the freedom fighters.

In the morning of December 6, the crimson sun glittered the victorious freedom fighters.

The town people greeted the brave freedom fighters of Bengal.

They took to the streets in freed Habiganj city with the slogan of Joy Bangla and expressed their joy of victory.

Retired Lance Naik Abdus Shahid was the first group of freedom fighters to enter Habiganj.

The other freedom fighters who accompanied him were Latif of Bahula village of Sadar upazila, retired Habildar Abdul Qayyum of Mashajan, Muhammad Azim of Sultan Mamdpur, Abdul Malek of Sultanshir, Sabu Miah of Habiganj municipal area, Raish Ali, Shukur Miah of Umednagar, Habib Miah of Bahubal and Alfu Miah of Rajiura area.

They entered the city through Pail Road around 10/11 am. Earlier, they went to Sabaspur, Baktarpur and Suwaiya villages.

The party went around the city to the police station and hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh.

Later, thousands of people greeted the freedom fighters at JK and EK High School.

Retired Lance Naik Abdus Shahid, the heroic freedom fighter under whose leadership Habiganj was liberated, was the former commander of Habiganj Sadar Unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad.

On December 5, the city of Habiganj was besieged and accordingly the Pakistani army fled away.

"In the morning of December 6, 1971, we entered the city and hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh at the police station and people welcomed us with the slogan 'Joy Bangla', he added.