Historical Teliapara Day today (April 4)
Photo: Barta24.com
April 4, 1971. On this day, the first meeting to finalize the strategy of the Liberation War was held in the manager's bungalow of Teliapara tea garden in Shahjahanpur union of Madhavpur upazila of Habiganj. In the presence of 27 senior officers of the East Bengal Regiment, the battlefield was divided into 11 sectors and 3 brigades.
Apart from this, many timeless decisions were taken. But the historic bungalow is now almost blocked by the boundary wall of the tea company. No initiative has been taken to preserve the memory of this important place for a long time.
Finally, the work on 'Muktijoddha Complex' at the cost of Tk. 3 crores of LGED taken a century ago has not started even today. The local freedom fighters expressed their anger. They claimed that besides turning the bungalow into a museum, effective steps should be taken to present the memories of the liberation war to the new generation.
Alauddin Mahmud, member secretary of Madhavpur Muktijoddha Children Sangsad Command, said that the present government has taken initiatives to preserve all the memorial sites of the country's liberation war. There were supposed to be various sculptures to build the complex on 100 acres of land but nothing was done. There the monument lies neglected. Except for Victory Day and Independence Day, no activities are held there.
On the other hand, on the occasion of the day, the local freedom fighters have taken various programs on the initiative of the Sangsad and the Administration. However, these events will be celebrated on a limited basis due to Ramadan.
It is known that Colonel (Retd.) Ataul Gani Osmani, then Major CR Dutt, Major Ziaur Rahman, Colonel MA Robb, Rabbani, Captain Nasim, Abdul Mateen, Major Khaled Musharraf, Commandant Manik Chowdhury, Brigadier Subhramaniam of India, MPA Maulana Asad Ali, Lieut. Syed Ibrahim, Major KM Shafiullah were present among others.
Under the command of Colonel (Retd) MAG Osmani, all-out preparations for the war were taken. In that meeting, a second meeting on April 10 and government formation was also proposed. But for security reasons, it was no longer possible.
After reciting the oath, MAG Osmani completed the oath ceremony of embarking into the liberation war by firing blank bullets from his pistol.
Later, Sector 3 Commander Major KM Shafiullah set up his headquarters at Teliapara Tea Garden. The importance of Teliapara in Madhavpur upazila was immense in terms of access to greater Sylhet by road and rail. Apart from conducting various operations from here, the Liberation Army established a large training camp for freedom fighters in the Teliapara tea garden. Colonel (Retd) MAG Osmani and several sector commanders visited Teliapara at various times. The surrounding area, including the manager's bungalow, was busy with the movement of the organizers and soldiers of the liberation war.
After the independence of the country, the first bullet-shaped memorial of the liberation war was built next to the Teliapara tea garden manager's bungalow in memory of the martyred freedom fighters in sectors 2, 3 and 4. The memorial was inaugurated in June 1975 by the then Army Chief Major General Shafiullah, Bir Uttam.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer AKM Faisal said, on the occasion of the day, a discussion meeting has been organized along with laying wreaths at the memorial.
