Interview with Mr. Syed Shahinur Islam

I conduct an interview with Mr. Syed Shahinur Islam about situation of Bangladesh in 1971. In 1971 he was in Dhaka, Naryanganj & Borguna. He was 15 years old in 1971. He was very young at that time. He told me the situation of that time in our country. He describes me the whole situation that he can remember. I conduct interview with him at my home because he is my father.

In the year 1971 January Mr. Shahinur lived in Nazimudiin Road at Old Dhaka. He was intermediate 1st year student at the time. He was student of Dhaka College. He saw many movements in our country. Dhaka was not that much populated like now. People who work for government they have better living standard then others. They have government staff quarter and many more facilities. In march 25 everything changed very quickly. Dhaka look like a haunted place. Every one became very scared. People afraid to get out from their home. In some area people shift their family to their village or India. Many people then moved to another place so Dhaka became less populated. Everyone was frightened about their future, how they can live, how they can survive in this situation. People are running out of their savings. they don’t have enough money so they can support their family. Military of Pakistan engaging their military all over the country. In 26 march Bangobondhu Shekh Mujibor Rahman declaration for war against Pakistani military. People of all age respond to his declaration and muktijuddho was started. Many teenage boys and men join for the war. Their training was given under cover. At the beginning, they don’t have any knowledge about arms how to operate them how to use them how to aim and many more. They don’t have even no knowledge about war strategy. All of them are unskilled. Indian government help Bangladeshi muktijoddhas by giving arms, training & shelter for them. In Indian border, they open many training campo for the muktijoddha.  Indian army help them in training and many more sector. Indian army help muktijoddha from the backend at the beginning of war. At that time India closer their border so that Pakistani army cannot come to our country easily. They put some barrier in sea so they can’t come by sea. It helps out people to win in war for very short time. Muktijoddha started their war operation all over the country so war was started against Pakistan army. Pakistan army destroy many villages they kill all the man at the village at a time. They bring girls and women with them. Some time they rape them and kill them. So, every family became more tensed about their future. Many people try to hide from Pakistan army some of them can and many family can’t hide from them. Pakistan army violate all human rights at the time of liberation war. Many people lost their job. People cannot go outside without any valid reason. Pakistan army kill them without thinking about them. Students cannot go to their educational institute. Business was in crisis because people don’t have any money so they can buy any things. Most people running by their savings. Sometimes they don’t have food to eat.