Liberation of Mirpur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Liberation of Mirpur refers to the Liberation of Mirpur Thana in Dhaka on 31 January 1972 by Bangladesh Armed Forces after the end of Bangladesh War of Independence.[1]
During the Bangladesh War of Independence, Mirpur remained pro-Pakistan. Bengalis living in Mirpur were threatened and attacked by pro-Pakistani Biharis. Bengali poet, Meherunnesa, was killed by Bihari inhabitants of Mirpur along with her family members.[2] Bangladesh became an independent country on 16 December 1971. Mirpur Thana, mostly inhabited by Biharis, remained under the control of pro-Pakistani paramilitary forces, even after the independence of Bangladesh.[2] Many of the inhabitants were members of pro-Pakistan paramilitary forces like the Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams. They possessed weapons and ammunition, given to them by the Pakistan Army.[2][3] After the war ended, Bihari neighborhoods were guarded by Indian Army soldiers. On 30 January 1972, Indian Army personnel were withdrawn, as their guarding of Biharis had become a source of tension between Bangladeshis and Indians.[4]