The 43rd anniversary of Rangpur Cantonment Gherao day will be observed through various programmes here tomorrow (Friday) at Nishbetganj Baddhyabhumi Smritisoudha ‘Rakta Gaurab’ in the outskirts of the city.
The observance will begin through placing wreaths at Smritisoudha ‘Rakta Gaurab’ to pay due respect to over 600 Bangalee Martyrs, who embraced martyrdom while gheraoing Rangpur Cantonment on March 28 in 1971.Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad, leaders of District Muktijoddha Sangshad, Awami League (AL), Amra Muktijoddha Santan, teachers of Beer Muktijoddha Tayebur Rahman High School and other organisations will place floral wreaths there.District unit of Amra Muktijoddha Santan will organise a discussion to pay due respect the 600 Martyrs recalling their unprecedented heroism and example of supreme sacrifice in liberating the nation.The Rangpur Cantonment Gherao attempt on March 28 in 1971, only three days after Pakistani crackdown, remains as a glaring example of Bangalee heroism quickly spreading the War of Liberation in the whole northern region.On that day in 1971, over 30,000 independence-seeker Bangalee Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, Oraon, Santal and other ethnic communities
equipped with lethal and sharp weapons, spears, arrows and bows, attempted to capture Rangpur Cantonment.According to the locals, freedom fighters and famous book ‘Juddhe Juddhe Swadhinota’ written by Major Nasir Uddin, uncounted number of people irrespective of caste, creed and religion from many villages rushed towards Nishbetganj since the morning.Awami League (AL) leader Sheikh Amjad Hossain chaired a meeting that was also addressed by CPB leader late Comrade Sayer Uddin and AL leader Majibar Rahman Master when thousands assembled at Nishbetganj before marching towards Cantonment.District Muktijoddha Commander Mosaddek Hossain Bablu and veteran FF Majibar Master said, it was about 4 to 5 pm when thousands of independence-seeker Bangalees already reached there to capture the Cantonment at any cost.Pakistani Brigadier General Abdullah Malik was the then Brigade Commander of the 23rd Brigade Headquarters in Rangpur Cantonment that was equipped with modern automatic heavy arms, artilleries, tanks and ammunitions with huge Pakistani forces.At one stage, some 10 military jeeps with browning machineguns started showering automatic gunfire towards the Bangalees that continued for about five minutes killing over 600 Bangalees and injuring hundreds more.The genocide was committed by the Pakistani Army led by war criminals Brigadier General Abdullah Malik, Colonel Sagir and other Pakistani Army Officers and their collaborator non-Bengali Behari soldiers and officers.The message reached faster to all other areas of the northern region igniting fire in mind of every Bangalee when hundreds of political leaders, students, youths, police and Ansar started fleeing homes to join the Mukti Bahini.And thus, the heroism of the secular Bangalees on March 28 at Nishbetganj sparked real heroism in every sleeping Bangalee when they started fighting decisively till achieving the national Independence on December 16 in 1971. -UNB, Rangpur
