Today is the Jashore free day. On December 6, 1971, the green-red flag of Bangladesh was hoisted marking the symbol of victory as Jashore being the first district was liberated from the clutch of Pakistani occupation forces.
To observe the day, a colourful rally paraded the main street in the town. People from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the Bangabandhu Mural in the town, sources said.
It was mid-day on December 6, the valiant Freedom Fighters along with the Indian forces started entering Jashore chanting victory slogans to the highest pitch of their voice. By the afternoon, the victors reached Jashore cantonment, but the Pakistani army being tipped off earlier left there beforehand.
"On March 3, 1971, the people of the district by hoisting the flag of Bangladesh in front of the Collectorate Building took oath to free the motherland from the occupation forces", Deputy Chief of Mujib Bahini in Greater Jashore, Rabiul Alam told this correspondent in a reminiscence. As a matter of fact, the people raised their resistance against the Pakistani army on that day bringing out largely participated processions in the city.
Soon the Pakistani Army opened fire on the people, leaving one Charubala Dhar dead on the spot, Rabiul Alam said.
Following the killing of Charubala, who was the first martyr of the War of Liberation in Jashore, the people started further strengthening their resistance under the leadership of Sangram Parishad. Student, youth and women took army training to fight the Pakistani army to achieve their ultimate victory.
On March 26, the Pakistan army picked up Mashiur Rahman, then the member of the National Assembly, from his residence, took him to the cantonment and brutally killed there.
On March 30, Bengali soldiers at Jashore cantonment revolted under the leadership of Captain Hafiz, and engaged in a fierce fight, in which many Bengali soldiers including Lieutenant Anwar embraced martyrdom.
107 brigade of the Pakistani Army took the command of Jashore cantonment under Brigadier Hayat Khan to control six districts. However, Jashore was under sector eight during the War of Liberation with Colonel Abu Osman Chawdhury being the first time sector commander.Later, Major MA Manzoor was appointed as the sector commander.
Meanwhile, on March 31, a rally of thousands of people from Narail district moved to Jashore town and attacked Jashore Central Jail to free all prisoners with the help of locals.On September 5, Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Sheikh was killed by the then Pakistani army at Goalhati in Jhikargacha-Sharsha frontier area of Jashore.
In July, the War of Liberation got a lift when the trained Freedom Fighters started to ambush the positions of Pakistani army in the areas.
On November 20, the Freedom Fighters along with the Indian force captured Jashore cantonment and also encircled the Chougachha base of Pakistani Army, the strongest base in the western zone.
Later, on November 22, the Chougachha base was captured by the joint forces after a heavy fighting.
On December 5 and 6, the joint forces launched final attacks on the Pakistani Army, who soon fled to Khulna after being unable to coup with the joint forces of Freedom Fighters and Indian army.
On December 6 afternoon, the Mukti Bahini took control of the Jashore town and in the evening they brought out a victory procession.
