Out of despair, Pakistan has termed it fall of Dhaka. Till date, they do not recognize that due to their mischievous policies and trying to subdue the Bengalese of their eastern wing by clamping upon them a horrendous genocide on 25 March,1971, they compelled the Bengali nation to wage a war of Independence which they won with the help and support of their friendly neighbor India. On this day,16 December, the eastern command of Pakistani army along with the Pak power machinery in occupied Bangladesh was bound to accept a public surrender.  At 4:30 pm, the commander of Pak army Lt Gen AAK Niazi surrendered to Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, who had successfully commandeered the Joint forces of Bangladesh and India into Dhaka. The great war of Liberation, led by the Provisional government of Bangladesh and it’s Mukti Bahini was crowned with success. The Peoples War, participated by Bangladeshi members of Pakistani armed forces, paramilitary and police fought the war together with people from all walks of life.

There were students, peasants, workers, youth of all denominations amongst the freedom fighters. With a minimal training in makeshift camps in friendly Indian territory(a few camps were in the liberated areas of Bangladesh as well) and with whatever arms they could lay their hands on to(mostly Indian, some from socialist world, some others arranged by diaspora Bangladeshis and Bangladesh government) the Muki Bahini fought tooth and nail and softened the backbone of the Pak army and their collaborators. The Pakistanis were exhausted and their morale was at the lowest level. They tried their best to obtain a status quo by achieving a cease fire with the help of UN and their western allies. Active and well crafted  diplomacy of India and support of the Socialist countries led by USSR ensured that Bangladesh government could wrap up all military operations and achieve independence before a cease fire becomes mandatory.

Though it was a nine month long war of Liberation of Bangladesh, supported in all possible ways by India, our friendly neighbors deliberately kept a distance from direct frontal military engagement. By the end of November 1971 it was evident that the genocidal activities to compel the Bengalese to come to terms with Pakistan was a total failure and losing the war was a matter of time, the Pakistanis wanted to get India directly involved in the war and thus achieve a cease fire focusing the military conflict as a war between India and Pakistan. So, they launched Operation Chengiz Khan in the western border between the two countries on 3 December. Pakistani Airforce bombed 6 air bases (some were deep inside Indian territory) and their army ventured into Indian territories of Punjab and Gujrat. India was now directly involved in the war.

Pakistani desperate ventures on the western front were foiled. In the east, a joint command of Bangladesh and Indian forces was formed. GOC in C of Indian eastern command at the Fort Williams Gen Aurora was entrusted with the responsibilities of commanding the joint forces. Such a situation was anticipated and both Bangladesh and Indian Governments were prepared to face all odds. Bangladesh Mukti Bahini was already engaged in the war since the declaration of Independence in March. Indian military formations were moved to suitable positions, ready for combat. It was already known where the Pakistani military build up was of what strength.  

Gangasagar is a railway station close to the Indian border of Tripura. It is a few kilometers south of Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh and at a shelling distance of Tripura capital Agartala. Pakistani army was maintaining a considerably strong contingent in Gangasagar. Their position was heavily fortified. India, anticipating an attack on Agartala from this Pakistani base decided to execute a preemptive attack on Gangasagar. Here is where our hero Albert Ekka comes into the picture.

Albert was born in present day Jharkhand. His family is an Adivasi Christian one. Adivasi’s love hunting and from his very childhood he was an avid hunter. Growing up, he developed an interest in joining the army. In 1962 he joined the Bihar Regiment. His unit, the 14th Guards, was deployed in the Bangladesh borders as part of the Indian 4th Corps towards the end of 1971. They were tasked with saving Agartala. On 3 Dec they marched into Bangladesh and attacked Gangasagar. Albert was by that time promoted to the post of a Lance Naik. Off he went to the front with his unit. Pakistani soldiers were in well built bunkers, consequently in advantageous position. Incessant firing was commenced from the enemy bunkers to stop the advancement of the 14th Guards.

There were casualties on both sides but Albert Ekka and his comrades crawled forward while returning the enemy fire. From one of the enemy bunkers a LMG was causing heavy damage to the Indians and it had to be silenced. Adventurous Albert took up the challenge, charged into the Pak bunker and bayoneted the enemy to silence the LMG. He was seriously injured but kept on fighting. The unit went forward and to take Gangasagar they had one more hurdle. A Pakistani medium machine gun was positioned in a fortified building wherefrom it was spitting fire like hell. Valiant Albert again ventured ahead. Though severely injured and exhausted he charged in and successfully bayoneted the Pakistani soldier manning the post.

Gangasagar was free but Albert Ekka could not survive. He succumbed to the injuries soon after the battle was over. Together with him eleven other boys of the 14th Guards laid down their lives in the battle. Their  sacred bodies were carried across the border and last rites were performed in a place near ONGC campus, a few kilometers south of Agartala in Dukli area. The area was fallow undulated land covered with shrubs and wild growth suitable to tillas. It was sparsely populated.

Still there are some aged people who were eye witnesses to the happenings on 4 December. Nine of the twelve men were Hindus and they were cremated according to Hindu rites. Three including Albert Ekka were christians. So, they were buried in the hilly land. On 16th of December when ultimate victory was achieved, the people of the locality constructed a modest memorial in honor of the fallen Heroes beside the lane leading to the cremation/burial place. It can still be seen at the same place near the Dukli branch of State Bank of India, quietly singing the glory of Albert Ekka and his comrades, who made supreme sacrifice for their Nation India and for helping Bangladesh win it’s Independence.

For his valiant heroism in Gangasagar, Albert Ekka was awarded Param Veer Chakra, the highest military gallantry award of India. In Agartala, where some people regard him as the savior of the city from imminent Pakistani military attack, a huge well decorated park has been named after him. In his native Jharkhand, Albert Ekka chowk and several roads and establishments  are named after him. Indian postal department has released a stamp in his memory.

Bangladesh has so far honored about 2000 Indian armed forces men who laid down their lives to liberate Bangladesh alongside Bangladesh Mukti Bahini. Albert Ekka is one of them. Unfortunately, after the war was over, we failed to keep track of the actual place of the last rites of Albert Ekka and the other martyrs. With the development of the State capital, Dukli also started changing. The barren land became a populated one in the last fifty plus years. No one seemed to know the exact location of the cremation/burial.

Recently, Indian authorities took up an initiative to find out the exact location and sought the assistance of veteran Agartala journo Mr. Manas Paul. Manas Da had been to the place once, several years ago, when Albert Ekka's widowed wife and his son came to visit Agartala. They were taken to Dukli and Manas Da was accompanying the team.

As my good luck would have it, I was in Agartala for a few days last week. Manas Da is the editor of Tripura Times and online media Tripuranet.com for many years now and publishes my write ups in both the print and online medias. We try to meet once during my Agartala visits. This time the meet was fixed for 8 December and he came to pick me up at the scheduled time.

To my pleasant surprise, I found that we were not going to his office or a coffee shop. He announced that we are going to Dukli for the purpose of finding the exact place of eternal rest of Albert Ekka and his shaheed colleagues for which some government officials have requested Manas Do’s help. I considered myself fortunate.

When we reached the spot Manas Da and the Indian officers immediately embarked on their mission. Initially, people seemed to be tight lipped. There was one Mr. Das, prominent in the locality who was an eye witness to the last rites. Manas Da vaguely remembered him from his previous visit and investigative journalism.

We found out that Mr. Das had expired in the recent past but his wife was living nearby. She was newly wed in 1971 and was an eye witnesses too. On our request someone from the locality went to her home and requested her to come and help us. Meantime assembled local people understood that we had the good intent of locating the exact place of the last rites to show respect to the heroes. Now everyone started cooperating. Mrs. Das came to the spot and pointed out the exact locations where the cremation and burials were done. The place has changed hands thrice in the last 53 years. A semi pucca dwelling stands at the exact place of burial. The cremation ground, hardly 20 meters away still lay open.

The Indian government officer deputed for the job said that they were planning some events for 16 December, the Victory Day. One of the items is to organize a cycle rally from Agartala to Dukli for laying floral wreaths at the exact place of burial/ cremation. The local people requested to chalk out a plan for some cultural events to commemorate the heroism of Albert Ekka and his comrades.

I consider myself fortunate for being able to be witness to this great exploration. My highest gratitude to my editor Mr. Manas Paul.

Long live the Victory Day!

Long live Bangladesh - India friendship!

Albert Ekka - jug jug jio!