Today, December 8th, marks the day in 1971 when Jhalakathi and Nalchiti upazilas were liberated from the invaders (referring to the Pakistani forces and their collaborators).
On the night of December 7th, a curfew was announced in Jhalakathi town, warning that anyone seen on the streets the next morning would be shot. However, before dawn on December 8th, the Pakistani soldiers and their local Razakar allies fled the city by boat.
Nalchiti Surrender: On the same day, the Razakar army, including Nalchiti Police Station OC Kasem Mollah, surrendered. Freedom fighters (FFs) and local people, shouting "Joy Bangla," carried rifles and Bangladesh flags in a massive procession. Notorious Razakar Nizam Uddin was beaten to death by the grieving people and FFs on the way to the Taltala camp.
Jhalakathi Surrender: In the afternoon, local Razakars returned by boat to the Kathpatti area. They were intercepted and arrested by local youths led by teenage freedom fighter Anwar Hossain Panna. 36 Razakars, including the notorious Barek Razakar, surrendered along with several rifles. Barek Razakar was subsequently killed by the grieving public.
Police Station Blockade: FFs entered the city in groups throughout the morning. In the evening, they blockaded the Jhalakathi Police Station. CI Shah Alam formally surrendered. The police station finally surrendered its weapons to Jhalakathi FF Commander Selim Shahnewaz, marking the complete liberation of Jhalakathi.
The news of the liberation sparked immense joy, with thousands of people taking to the streets until late at night, cheering and shouting "Joy Bangla."
Prior to Jhalakathi's liberation, Kanthalia was liberated on December 6th, and Rajapur Upazila (under Sector 9) was liberated earlier, on November 23rd.
Comment
