The mausoleum of the first and last martyrs of the Liberation War at Mouchak crossing



Khondoker Asifuzzaman, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Barta24

photo: Barta24

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A pillar covered with white tiles can be seen right in the middle of the beehive intersection, which is busy with traffic and people. Thousands of people travel through this intersection every day. But 90% of people do not know what this pillar actually is and why! The pillar is the burial place of the first martyr Farooq Iqbal and the last martyr Taslim Uddin.

What is wrong with the common people walking around the three sides of the two martyrs' graves? The first and last martyr of the liberation war is lying here. Garbage strewn around the mausoleum and motorcycle parking make it look like a neglected common construction.

On March 3, 1971, when the non-cooperation movement started under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to get rid of the subjugation of Pakistan, Farooq Iqbal, the first-year student leader of the Chhatra League of Abujar Giffari College, was staying in Rampura, Dhaka with the students' procession. He was shot dead by Pakistani forces to disperse the agitated crowd. Farooq Iqbal was martyred. At that time, he was buried at the beehive intersection.

Taslim Uddin, the last martyr of the liberation war, was buried next to Farooq Iqbal. He took part in the war when he was a ninth grade standard student of Siddheshwari Boys High School. He was killed by assassins on December 17 on his way home after the war.

In 2008, after 37 years of the Liberation War, the Dhaka City Corporation built a mausoleum at the martyrs' burial place. However, since no one has been given the responsibility of taking care of the tomb, it has been neglected and neglected for a long time.

The memories of these two brave martyrs and the current status of their tombs were discussed with ANM Zulfikar Haroon, elder brother of martyred Farooq Iqbal and Jahangir Hasan Manik, brother of martyred Taslim Uddin.

Zulfiqar Harun, the elder brother of Shahid Farooq while talking to Barta24, recalling his brother's memories of that time, said that on the day Farooq was martyred, in Paltan Maidan, Bangabandhu was supposed to come to the Chhatra League meeting. To organize that meeting, Farooq left home early in the morning without breakfast. I was there when Farooq left for Rampura with a procession from in front of Abujar Giffari College. I came home. After a while someone came and said that someone had been shot by Pakistani forces in Rampura. Amma heard this and said 'God knows which mother's chest is empty'. I came out of the house and saw a boy standing with Farooq's shoes. I saw what happened! That was the last time I saw Farooq. This is how Harun was telling the story of the martyrdom of brother Farooq. And said that on that day, student leader Bir Bikram Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, ASM Abdur Rob, Noore Alam Siddiqui, Abdul Quddus Makhan and many other leaders were present at Farooq's funeral.

Zulfikar Harun said about the name not being included in the list of freedom fighters, we have never applied from the family to include the name in the list. A form was given once during the Ershad government. But father did not allow applying. The father's only words are 'My son has been martyred, it is an honor. We will not take any benefit from the government in return. No more applications were made after that. We have not been contacted by the government either. Only when March 3 comes, everyone forgets again by putting flowers on the graves, having a little discussion. However, if the government had taken any measures to highlight the first martyr of the Liberation War to the young generation, then everyone would have known about him.

When the body of martyr Farooq Iqbal was brought home on March 3, thousands of freedom fighters marched in front of the coffin. Who knew that in the courtyard of the house, another great son of the country lover, Shaheed Taslim Uddin - this is how Jahangir Hasan Manik started the story of his brother.

Shaheed Taslim Uddin's brother Jahangir Hasan Manik said, when thousands of people brought the body of Farooq Bhai (martyr Farooq Iqbal) home to shout slogans, after seeing this scene, my 13-year-old brother said to his mother, 'Look, mother, how lucky Farooq Bhai is! Thousands of people are marching with his body! His death marks the beginning of a new history!' Mother scolds, "Shut up! What a waste of time!" The mother's scolding, the brother then became silent.

On the night of March 25, the brutality of the Pak army began in Dhaka city, and the massacre began. The fire that Taslim saw in Dhaka that night, the fire was born in Taslim. Parents noticed that somehow he became silent. Like before, he does not have fidgetiness, and does not speak properly to anyone. Even when asked to know, the brother did not tell his parents. In this way, Taslim cannot be found suddenly one day in March or April. He could not be found even after many searches in different places. A few days later, it was learned that Azim Khokon, the then manager of Alauddin Suite in our area, helped send Bachchu and Taslim to war.

13-year-old Taslim fought on the battlefield. As he was not at home, meanwhile, the suspicions of the Razakars of the city had joined the Taslim Liberation War. So, after a few days, the Pakistani army came to the house and annoyed my father very much. 8 times father was taken away by the army. As no trace of Taslim was found, our house was also set on fire. We had to go elsewhere because of the oppression of these Pakistanis.

The bloody war ends. Taslims won. A new morning December 16 emerged. The country is independent today. The people of the area are chanting victory slogans to welcome the freedom fighters. One by one many others have returned, including the head of the Taslim party. But Taslim did not return.

Jahangir Hasan Manik, the brother of Shaheed Taslim Uddin, wiped his tears because he was buried next to the grave of Farooq Bhai, Taslim, who jumped into the liberation war after seeing the dead body of Farooq Bhai.

In this way, the first and last martyrs of the liberation war are buried side by side at Mouchak intersection in Dhaka.

However, seeing the current condition of Farooq-Taslim's tomb, the two brothers of the two martyrs said with some regret that if the government does not manage and preserve the tomb properly, then the two families will do as much as possible. At least the place of the tomb should be kept clean and the two martyrs' names should be placed there. So that people can see from afar and know about Farooq-Taslim. 

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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