Armed only with bows and arrows, brave young indigenous fighters are
resisting modern artillery; such tales of courage are usually seen in
novels or movies. However, the history of Bangladesh’s bloody birth is
full of such tales. We will tell you the story of the bravery and
courage of Moulvibazar indigenous tea garden workers.
The wave of protests across the country during the six-point movement
managed to touch the serene lives of indigenous tea garden workers as
well. The proclamation of independence on March 26, 1971 and the news of
mass killing spread like wildfire in the tea gardens. After March 7,
workers staged agitations with bows and arrows.
On 27 March, 1971, indigenous people stood on a bridge at Kamalganj
in Moulvibazar and fought the Pak army with homemade weapons. They shot
arrows incessantly and many were left injured. After this incident
Pakistan army faced strong resistance in every tea garden.
Around the middle of the 1971 war, Gurna Bhor, an indigenous freedom
fighter, was killed at Doloi Tea Garden in Moulvibazar. Gurna Bhor was
riddled with bullets when he tried to notify other freedom fighters of
the Pakistani army’s location.
The indigenous tea garden workers of Moulvibazar fought for
independence, fought for their land, yet 44 years after independence
they still remain landless. They did not receive any state recognition
and their story of valor remains unknown.
The list of martyrs runs long in the district.
Indigenous Santal, Munda, Orao and Tanti communities in Rangpur also fought for independence in 1971.
In this month of victory, it is time to show our gratitude once more to these freedom fighters.
