Interview with my Grandfather ♥
The then Civil Engineer of Chittagong Hilltracts Districs Zillaparishad
Mohammed Tajul Islam Mia
Mohammed Tajul Islam Mia
1. Ultimately, what significant events do you think took place before 1971 that ignited the liberation war?
Before 1947, there was neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh. The whole subcontinent was basically India, also known as East India. When the British left India they created hatred between the Muslims and the Hindus. Then there came a time when the Muslims demanded their own piece of land. Instead of giving a whole chunk of land, the Hindus gave the Muslims only two pieces, one toward the East and the other piece toward the West of modern day India. So after a lot of bloodshed between the two religions, the regions of East Pakistan and West Pakistan were eventually formed. Now the problem started in between Pakistan. The people in West Pakistan did not treat the people in East Pakistan equally. The people in East Pakistan spoke Bengali whereas the people in West Pakistan spoke Urdu. The people in the East wanted Bangla (Bengali) to be the official language, since that was what most Pakistanis spoke. But it turned out that the West Pakistanis took action and declared Urdu the new national language which sparked outrage among the East Pakistanis.
This led to the language movement in 1952, known as Shaheed Minar. On the 21st of February 1952, the Pakistani Police fired on peaceful demonstrators of Dhaka University. Those students died fighting for our mother language! This was definitely one of the more significant events that ignited the liberation. Other important events that took place were as follows:
· The 1962 Movement against the Education Commission Report
· The 1966 6-Point Movement
· The 1967 11-Point Movement
· The 1969 Agortala Conspiracy Movement
· Yahya Kahns emergence as leader in 1969
· The 1970 Elections
· The Formal Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971.
2. Who actually declared the war? When did this exactly happen?
In fact, Bangabhundu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the independence of Bangladesh on 25th march. On the first night of the 25th around 10:30 pm, through the wireless equipment, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and the police department to all concerns, communicated to eachother in order to deliver the message to the people. This declaration message was announced by Mr. Hannan, one of the Awami Leaders of Chittagong, on behalf of Sheikh Mujib from the Chittagong Radio Station on the 26th. On the 27th, Major Zia declared the independence on behalf of Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat Radio Station for wide circulation. This declaration instigated the start of the liberation as well as inspired the soldiers.
3. Why did this all happen? When did this all begin?
Due to the deprivation of the East Pakistan residents, they rebelled against West Pakistanis which caused the war of liberation to begin. This all began after the declaration of independence by Sheikh Mujib.
4. Where were you at the time and what were were you doing during the war? How did you contribute?
I was serving in Chittagong Hilltracts District as a Zillaparishad Engineer (civil) in Rangamati Headquarters. I was fully inspired from the address of Sheikh Mujibur rahman on March 7, 1971 and decided to participate in the Non Corporation Movement. At the time of the war, during the April of 1971 I maintained the supply line of weaponry and food, construction/maintenance of roads, from Ramgar (border of Agortala, India) to Rangamati via Khazrachary Subdivision Headquarters. After the occupation of the Pakistani Army, I left for India and joined the sector headquarters of Bangladeshi Liberation force at Harina under Agortala, India. I took part in the construction of Youth Camp for trainees and Koth for restoring arms and ammunition of the sector. After July of ’71 I joined Sector HQ #2 at Melaghar and constructed 250 (seated) hospitals for Bangladeshi forces.
5. Why did you decide to go to India?
From looking at the situation of my country, I enthusiastically took part in this opportunity to help my country during the liberation war. From the call of Banghabandhu’s address, I was very much inspired and determined to take part in the liberation war and that is why I decided to go to India.
6. Did you ever witness any genocide?
Since I never took part in any front war, I’ve never really witnessed genocide. My younger brother however, did witness many killings one day when he was going to the bazaar (market) to get some groceries. The West Pakistanis started to open fire at several Bangladeshis in the mass crowd at the bazaar. The brother luckily was able to escape the firing and went back to the village.
7. What happened when West Pakistan surrendered to the Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) on December 16, 1971? When did you return home?
After the surrender we immediately returned to Bangladesh as accomplished winners of the war. Joy Bangla!
Before 1947, there was neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh. The whole subcontinent was basically India, also known as East India. When the British left India they created hatred between the Muslims and the Hindus. Then there came a time when the Muslims demanded their own piece of land. Instead of giving a whole chunk of land, the Hindus gave the Muslims only two pieces, one toward the East and the other piece toward the West of modern day India. So after a lot of bloodshed between the two religions, the regions of East Pakistan and West Pakistan were eventually formed. Now the problem started in between Pakistan. The people in West Pakistan did not treat the people in East Pakistan equally. The people in East Pakistan spoke Bengali whereas the people in West Pakistan spoke Urdu. The people in the East wanted Bangla (Bengali) to be the official language, since that was what most Pakistanis spoke. But it turned out that the West Pakistanis took action and declared Urdu the new national language which sparked outrage among the East Pakistanis.
This led to the language movement in 1952, known as Shaheed Minar. On the 21st of February 1952, the Pakistani Police fired on peaceful demonstrators of Dhaka University. Those students died fighting for our mother language! This was definitely one of the more significant events that ignited the liberation. Other important events that took place were as follows:
· The 1962 Movement against the Education Commission Report
· The 1966 6-Point Movement
· The 1967 11-Point Movement
· The 1969 Agortala Conspiracy Movement
· Yahya Kahns emergence as leader in 1969
· The 1970 Elections
· The Formal Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971.
2. Who actually declared the war? When did this exactly happen?
In fact, Bangabhundu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the independence of Bangladesh on 25th march. On the first night of the 25th around 10:30 pm, through the wireless equipment, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and the police department to all concerns, communicated to eachother in order to deliver the message to the people. This declaration message was announced by Mr. Hannan, one of the Awami Leaders of Chittagong, on behalf of Sheikh Mujib from the Chittagong Radio Station on the 26th. On the 27th, Major Zia declared the independence on behalf of Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat Radio Station for wide circulation. This declaration instigated the start of the liberation as well as inspired the soldiers.
3. Why did this all happen? When did this all begin?
Due to the deprivation of the East Pakistan residents, they rebelled against West Pakistanis which caused the war of liberation to begin. This all began after the declaration of independence by Sheikh Mujib.
4. Where were you at the time and what were were you doing during the war? How did you contribute?
I was serving in Chittagong Hilltracts District as a Zillaparishad Engineer (civil) in Rangamati Headquarters. I was fully inspired from the address of Sheikh Mujibur rahman on March 7, 1971 and decided to participate in the Non Corporation Movement. At the time of the war, during the April of 1971 I maintained the supply line of weaponry and food, construction/maintenance of roads, from Ramgar (border of Agortala, India) to Rangamati via Khazrachary Subdivision Headquarters. After the occupation of the Pakistani Army, I left for India and joined the sector headquarters of Bangladeshi Liberation force at Harina under Agortala, India. I took part in the construction of Youth Camp for trainees and Koth for restoring arms and ammunition of the sector. After July of ’71 I joined Sector HQ #2 at Melaghar and constructed 250 (seated) hospitals for Bangladeshi forces.
5. Why did you decide to go to India?
From looking at the situation of my country, I enthusiastically took part in this opportunity to help my country during the liberation war. From the call of Banghabandhu’s address, I was very much inspired and determined to take part in the liberation war and that is why I decided to go to India.
6. Did you ever witness any genocide?
Since I never took part in any front war, I’ve never really witnessed genocide. My younger brother however, did witness many killings one day when he was going to the bazaar (market) to get some groceries. The West Pakistanis started to open fire at several Bangladeshis in the mass crowd at the bazaar. The brother luckily was able to escape the firing and went back to the village.
7. What happened when West Pakistan surrendered to the Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) on December 16, 1971? When did you return home?
After the surrender we immediately returned to Bangladesh as accomplished winners of the war. Joy Bangla!