MYMENSINGH, Dec 09, 2023 (BSS) - People of Mymensingh are waiting to

celebrate the historic "Mymensingh free day" tomorrow (December 10) amid
enthusiasm.

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

Marking the day, District administration and Mymensingh unit of Muktijoddha
Sangsad have jointly taken a week-long programme.

The programme includes Bijoy rally which will start from Chota Bazar Mukto
Moncha tomorrow at 10 am by hoisting National flag and muktijoddha flag, a
documentary film on the Liberation War will be screamed, discussion and
cultural function.

Besides, other upazilas of the district will be celebrated the day following
different programmes.

In 1971 on this day, the freedom fighters led by late Principal Motiur
Rahman, former religious affairs minister and former president of the
district unit of Awami League, and Indian allied forces marched towards the
Mymensingh town with chanting Joybangla slogan.

The freedom fighters freed Mymensingh through hoisting red and green flag of
the independent Bangladesh while reaching at Circuit House ground after
crossing at Shambuganj ferry ghat of the river Brahmaputra.

Some eyewitness and freedom fighters told BSS that hundreds of joyful people,
relatives, friends and well-wishers of the freedom fighters here welcomed
them and the allied forces while marching towards the Circuit House.
 
Mentionable, the Pakistani occupation forces fled to Dhaka through the
district of Tangail at midnight on December 9 in 1971.
 
On April 17 in 1971, a fierce battle took place between the Pakistani army
and the freedom fighters at Kalihati in Tangail and it continued for five
days. It was the first fierce battle in this region during the Liberation
War.

In 1971, the Pakistani troops managed to enter Mymensingh town on April 22.
The freedom fighters built their stronghold in bordering Haluaghat upazila of
the district. Several battles took place there during the nine-month long
bloody war.
 
The freedom fighters freed Haluaghat from the occupation
forces and on December 7 while Phulpur, Bhaluka, Phulbaria and Gouripur
upazilas on December 8 and freed Muktagachha upazila from the
clutches of the occupation forces on December 10.

A large number of freedom fighters, including students and cultural
activists, as well as ordinary freedom loving people in the district
sacrificed their valuable lives for the freedom of the motherland.

To keep their memory alive, a Liberation War Memorial titled 'Muktijoddha
Smriti Saudha' was built on the bank of the Brahmaputra river in the town in
2000.

Every year District administration and Muktijuddah Sangsad have been
celebrating the historic 'Mymensingh free day" with joyful manner.