Md. Rana Mia

It depicts the peak of cruelty and brings multiple lessons for us while discussing the phenomenon- Operation Searchlight. We hardly recollect one of the major lessons, do not let the wrong doers commit more and protect even with a little resource, instead used to blame each other.

After many of false and forcibly deeds of Pakistani dictators from the inception of Pakistan state, East Pakistani (Bangladesh) people at a stage realize that the unity with West Pakistan is impossible. It's the time of being separated from the partner of dividing India.

Through the 7th March (1971) speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bengali Nation got its primary and indirect declaration of our great emancipation. Before 7 lakh people at Suhrawardy Udyan (then- Race Course Garden), Bangabandhu describes about their breach of promises, their application of forces, odious activities as the head of administration and so on throughout their regime.

At the last part of this significant speech, Bangabandhu instructs to be prepared with what we have. The aftermath of Bangabandhu's firing speech, a political excitement remains everywhere in both Pakistan. Pakistani leaders were sketching to attack from a week ago. Khadim Hussain Raja, GOC (General Officer Commanding) of fourteenth division, mentioned in his book ''A Stranger in my own Country East Pakistan'' that, Lieutenant General Tikka Khan called Rao Forman Ali and Major General Khadim Hussain Raja in his Command House. Tikka Khan informed them, the discussion between Sheikh Mujib and Yahya khan is not progressive as expected. Resultantly, President Yahya asked preparing for ''Military Action '' Then the senior officers sketched this attacking mission named "Operation SearchLight".

As planned, the Pakistani military abruptly attacks on dozens of places in Dhaka city. Innocent sleeping people meet death. Dhaka University's areas, Rajarbag Police Line, Pilkhana, Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Old Dhaka turn into death-place. Students, teachers, laborers, rickshaw pullers and all kinds of occupational people totaling 7000 are brutally killed and 3000 are detained.

Before getting arrested on 25th March midnight, after 12 am, the first part of 26th March, Bangabandhu officially declares the Independence of Bangladesh through the transmitter of E.P.R. in Chattagram. Bangabandhu declares, ''This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is independent. I call upon the people of Bangladesh wherever you might be and with whatever you have, to resist the army of occupation to the last. Your fight must go on until the last soldier of the Pakistan occupation army is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh and final victory is achieved". Then M A Hannan and Major Ziaur Rahman declare independence on behalf of Bangabandhu.

The ordinary people then endeavor them to be organized and prepare themselves to protect the holy motherland. Bangabandhu's statement, prepare with what you have, does work as tonic. And finally, through a nine month-long war, in exchange of 30 lakh martyrs, 2 lakh mothers' and sisters' dishonor, East Pakistan got victory on 16 December 1971.

The writer is a, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism JnU