Freedom fighters break lock to pay tribute at Shaheed Minar

Angered by the lock on the old Shaheed Minar on DS Road (Dewan Shaheb Road) in Sunamganj on Independence Day, freedom fighters broke the lock and placed floral wreaths. Coming to the Shaheed Minar at 10:30 am, they found the gate locked. Angered by this, they broke the lock, entered, and paid their respects. Earlier at night, when news of the lock on the Shaheed Minar spread, many expressed anger on social media. Sunamganj was liberated on December 6.

Before the victory on December 16, freedom fighters built this Shaheed Minar on DS Road in the town. Under the directive of Liberation War sub-sector commander Major Motalib, freedom fighter-journalist Saleh Chowdhury designed it. It is believed to be the first Shaheed Minar in the country built by freedom fighters after independence. As there are no other plaques commemorating the Liberation War and the Language Movement in the town, it has become a symbol of the memories of '71 and '52.

A few years ago, a monument was built in the Sunamganj court premises in memory of the martyrs of '71. Since then, floral wreaths have been placed at both locations on national days. But this time on Independence Day, a lock was put on the entrance gate of the Shaheed Minar. As a result, many were forced to turn back and pay tribute at the monument in the court premises. Coming to pay tribute at the Shaheed Minar at 10:30 am, the freedom fighters were angered to see the locked gate. They broke the lock, entered inside, and placed floral wreaths.

District Udichi Vice-President Jahangir Alam said, "I was surprised to see the gate of the Shaheed Minar locked on Independence Day. For the first time, going to lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar on Independence Day, I came back seeing the locked gate. Later we went to the memorial plaque at the court premises and laid floral wreaths. It is necessary to investigate why the gate was kept locked. According to tradition, freedom fighters come to lay flowers at this very Shaheed Minar. Later they had no other way than to enter the Shaheed Minar by breaking the lock."

Sunamganj Sadar Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad former commander valiant freedom fighter Abdul Majid said, "By locking the Shaheed Minar on Independence Day, they have done an irresponsible act. Being forced, we broke the lock, entered the Shaheed Minar, and paid tribute to the memory of the martyrs. This Shaheed Minar of Sunamganj was built by our own hands. I am very pained to see it locked on Independence Day." District Muktijoddha Sangsad former commander Nurul Momen said, "Going to lay flowers, I saw the gate of the Shaheed Minar locked.

Keeping the Shaheed Minar locked on Independence Day can in no way be accepted. Therefore, the freedom fighters, angered, broke the lock, entered the Shaheed Minar, and placed floral wreaths. I have heard that many came to lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar and returned seeing the gate locked. Answering the question of who put the lock, I can say that the Shaheed Minar is currently under the municipal administration. An additional deputy commissioner is in charge of the municipal administrator. The matter is extremely regretful. I think this needs to be investigated with importance."

Sunamganj Municipality's municipal administrator and additional deputy commissioner Rezaul Karim said, "Language martyrs are paid tribute at the Shaheed Minar. And the place to pay tribute on Independence Day and Victory Day is the monument. Flowers will be laid at the monument on Independence Day, so the old Shaheed Minar was kept closed. Everyone must be informed that the place to pay tribute on Independence Day and Victory Day is the 'monument'." However, freedom fighters are unwilling to accept this explanation. They say that the Shaheed Minar is not only for language martyrs, it is also a memorial of the Liberation War.

Consequently, the decision to lock it on Independence Day is unacceptable. They have demanded that such an incident should not happen in the future. Source: Sunamganjer Khabor