The Story of a Leader, Poet, and Philosopher

Bir Muktijoddha Shaheed Khondkar Mukhtar Elahi was born on Saturday,March 26, 1949 at 04.00 AM in Rangpur. Hewas a versatile person as he was a strong political leader, good speaker, and also an esteemed philosopher who sacrificed his life for the liberation war of Bangladesh. He was a young, heroic martyr and freedom fighter, and he organized the people of North Bengal to unite against the imperial forces of Pakistan.He was a great man whoconvinced his countrymen to revolt against the injustice and discrimination of the Pakistan government in his short life. He inspired the ordinary people, comrades, and youth generation to rise up against the economic and political disparities of the Pakistan government.

Bir Muktijoddha K. MukhtarElahi alias Chinu was a final year graduate of English literature at Carmichael College, Rangpur. The college was established in 1916 and was famous for research and education in North Bengal, Rangpur, and it had a lot of contributions to the liberation war of Bangladesh. He was closely involved with extra-curricular activities and other social and voluntary activities in his Student life. He was a Vice President (VP) of the Student Union for 1970-71. He was also the leader of the Mujib team and student league. As the Vice President of Carmichael College Students Union (CACSU), he brought out a procession in Rangpur City in response to the call of Bangabandhu on March 01, 1971. He led the parade with other people of Rangpur. About seven to eight Bengalis of Rangpur died due to the gun attack of police and some pro-Pakistani Biharies in the march. He was also the head of the district guerrilla force named "Mujib Bahinee."

The parents name of Shaheed K. M. Elahi respectively K. Dad Elahi and Mariam Khanam. His parents are luminous peopleblessed with seven sons and three daughters. Shaheed K. M. Elahi was the 4th son of his parents among his brothers. The names of seven sons of Mr. Elahi and Mrs. Khanam are followed by Late Bir Muktijoddha K. Manzoor Elahi, K. Maudood Elahi, Bir Muktijoddha K. Mushtaq Elahi, Late Bir Muktijoddha Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi (Chinu), K. Mahfuz Elahi, K. Murad Elahi, and youngest son K. Maruf Elahi. His parents were legends and considered the parents of distinguished children respectively for thethree freedom fighters. As mentioned above, that is a unique and rare case in the history of the liberation war of Bangladesh. His family members are notable in north Bengal, Rangpur for their philanthropic activities, social works, and for serving in nationaland foreign educational institutions.

Rangpur was considered a strategic location over the history of Bengal for the imperial forces, outsiders, British, and Pakistan. The foreign attacker can use this region in two ways: roads and water. They can quickly move in two ways in their convenient time for serving strategic and imperial interests. The people of Rangpur have protested against Pakistan since March 3, 1971. Shanku Shamajdar (17) was the first martyr Bangladesh Liberation movement in this region. On the other hand, five to six people, followed by Omer Ali, Abul Kalam Azad of Carmichael College, were killed on March 3, 1971, andShanku Shamajdar.

Rangpur was one of the vital battlegrounds and strategic locationsfor independence before the historical March 07 calling of Bangabandhu. On the other hand, the father of the nation, a friend of Bengal Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, mentioned Rangpur out of the five regional names in the 'HistoricalMarch 07'Speech in terms of discrimination of Pakistan and bloodshed of East Pakistani people. Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi responded to the historical calling of Bangabandhu to organize his local people against Pakistan injustice, discrimination, and lousy rule to free the region from the imperial forces of Pakistan systematically. Besides, 72 (seventy-two) intellectual people were killed before the victory day of Bangladesh in this area. On the other hand, about 50 000 (fifty thousand) people were killed during the liberation war in Rangpur.

Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi was an active political worker and self-denying leader in his region. He was head of the Mujib Bahinee in the six sectors out of eleven sectors during the liberation war of Bangladesh regarding the geographical factors. He coordinated the liberation war movement with young generations of Hazipara (Dhap area, Rangpur Cantonment) against the Pakistan forces.

Budo Odaon and Abdul Gani led the operation to attack Rangpur Cantonment from four definite boundaries. It was a tragic and unique moment in wartime history. The Rangpur people attacked the Rangpur cantonment with bamboo, non-arms materials and rounded the whole cantonment area on March 28, 1971. After the attack, Pakistani armed forces marched against them and killed 200 (two hundred) civilians as per officials records. On the other hand, aresearcher found that more than a thousand people have been killed during this operation. Therefore, M. K. Elahi realized the importance of the Front War,and hethought about training to prepare forwar. Later, he decided to receive war training from India and gathered arms from outside. Finally, he crossed the border and arrived in India to participate in the war training.

After accomplishing war training in India, Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi entered Bangladesh as a guerrilla warrior from Shahabgonj, Cooch Behar. During Bangladesh's liberation war, he has also led the guerrilla team from Dinhata of Cooch Behar, India. His eldestbrother Late Bir Muktijoddha K. Manzoor Elahi was the custodian of an ordnance factory of Bengal military forces (Mukti Bahini of East Pakistan) in Shahebgonj, Cooch Behar. His brother Manzoor coordinated as the chief of the store house of war weapons utilized in war at Shahebganj, Cooch Behar. He took armor and ammunitions from his brother and implementedstrategic operations inside Rangpur. Moreover, he could build a secret base with the support of co-warrior Mr. Mannan, Mr. Mahbub, and their brave mother in Rangpur city. Later, he implemented some triumphant operations in North Bengal.

Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahiplanned to attack some strategic locations of Pakistani forces in Rangpur. Modern Hall (Presently regarded as the Townhall) of Rangpur was one of them. The Pakistani armed forces used this ModernHall as a torture cell and captive house for women.87 (eighty-seven) dead bodies of women were found in a well beside Town Hall. Later, he paused his journey in Lalmonirhat at night on November 08, 1971, with a small group of Mukti Bahinee in a particular stage of the liberation war.Suddenly, the Pakistani armed forces besieged the village after learning his and the Mukti Bahinee's location. They were surroundedby about 400 (four-hundred) Pakistani forces. The village is situated at Air-Khamar of Barabari Union in Lalmonirhat. They fought against Pakistani forces bravely with the small number of Mukti Bahini,but enemy forces detained them ata particular stage of the war. Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi and a young freedom fighterwere also detained on that day. He did not compromise with them and was reluctant to answer their queries during interrogation with Pakistan armed forces. They tortured him inhumanely to find out aboutother freedom fighters and their locations. Finally, the Pakistani armed forces killed him on November 09, 1971, with his other comrades as well as the ordinary people the forces had detained. They also committeda genocide with other people at Air-Khamar of Barabari Union in Lalmonirhat. Later, the Mujib Bahinee of Mukhtar Elahi and other freedom fighters liberated Rangpur from the occupation of Pakistani forces after one month of his death. Finally, Rangpur became a free region and solidified its position on the Map of Bangladesh.

Air-Khamar is famous for several reasons in Lalmonirhat, respectively, for the history of liberation war and these genocidal acts committedby the Pakistani forces. The graveyard and monument of Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi are situated at Air-Khamar of Barabari Union in Lalmonirhat. The Pakistani armed forces killed 119 (one hundred nineteen) people and Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi and wereburied there. Therefore, 'November Nine' is considered as Genocide Day of Air-Khamar. It is a matter of sorrow that the memorial monument was established in 2021 after 49 years of his martyrdom of Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi. On the other hand, North Bengal Museum identified 95 (ninety-five) martyrs of the Air-Khamar Genocide and presented it to the exhibition after the discussion session on November 09, 2021, in front of the North Bengal Museum, Kurigram.

Bir Muktijoddha Md. Mahbubur Rahman was a friend and co-fighter of Late Bir Muktijoddha Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi. He several times narrated the tragic and memorable history of Mukhtar in public functions whenever he gets the time. The writer has got the opportunity to listen to that war story from his mouth in a discussion atNorth Bengal Museum, Kurigram on November 09, 2021, and in-personal communicationwhere he gathered the details. Muktijoddha Rahman also shared this touchy war story on social media on March 01, 2016. People keptfallingin tears when they heard the tale of Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi and his mother's vision on the Liberation War of Bangladesh along with her sacrifices. Bir Muktijoddha Md. Mahbubur Rahmansaid that Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi was afearless fighter and philosopher. His statement and views were inspirational and courageousfor the other freedom fighters in the liberation war of Bangladesh. He saidI met with Mukhtar during wartime in India. I told him that Pakistani armed forces continued their heinous activities followed by tortures, killing, and indiscriminately attacking unarmed civilians. These activities mentioned above were not acceptable,and we needed to fight together against the Pakistani armed forces in a planned way. After hearing this, Mukhtar replied that if you arecorrect and the situation was the same as you described, we willbe independent shortly, no worries. Because a true warriornever harms the civilians and unarmed people during wartime. If they did so, then you have to understand that they have already lost their moral grounds and mental strength and are awaitingtheir defeat. They continue their heinous acts until they are defeated in this war. I was surprised after listening to his statement on this incident. Then, I asked him if he had any messages for his family members and mother. After that, he replied that you cantell my mother that I am well and not worry about me. Then I came to Bangladesh to observe the situation and implement some war strategies and operations in the Rangpur region. Mariam Khanam was a distinguishedand respected lady who sacrificed her three sons for Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971.Bir Muktijoddha Md. Mahbubur Rahmansaid that he led awar operation against Pakistani forces at the Electricity Supply center, Babukha in Rangpur, at the end of July of 1971. Then I met with freedom fighters' families and Mukhtar's family in Rangpur. After that, I met with Mukhtar's parents to informthem about his situation in India. I told her, you did not need to worry about Mukhtar; he is fine. Then she replied, I am not concerned about my son Mukhtar as I have already sacrificed him for the country and the independence. Later she shared her views about the last departure with her son Mukhtar Elahi. Mukhtar saidto his mother, Ma, and there is no denying the fact that I love you. But I also love my motherland too. Mukhtar requested his mother to pray for him to reach his destination and free the country from the occupation of Pakistani forces and comeback to her. Therefore, his mother said she sacrificed himself for the government and independence. After listening to her reciprocal conversation with Mukhtar on the Liberation War of Bangladesh, I was surprised and tears fell from my eyes for her solid mental position, moral support,and patriotism for the nation and the country. It is an awe-inspiring and pathetic story in the history of liberation war and guerrilla warfare.Later, Bir Muktijoddha Md. Mahbubur Rahman heard the news about his death from Bir Muktijoddha Bashir's letter. I was mystified after hearing the news and remembered his mother's prayer's fulfillment aboutMukhtar'ssacrifices for the country. We cannotfulfill his loss and gifts. Sometimes Mukhtar said that we need to give blood and sacrifices for independence. He proved itby giving his own life to Bangladesh. He did a good job, sacrificed himself for the country's sake, and presented us with an independent region.

Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi's second elder brother Bir Muktijoddha K. Mushtaq Elahi said he was prudent and had a farsightedplan for Bangladesh in the contemporary age. Bir Muktijoddha K. Mushtaq Elahi delivered the North Bengal Museum's discussion program on November 09, 2021. He recited some written poem's of Mukhtar Elahi, followed by August 14, aflag nameto evaluate his works and to think, and completed his memorial lecture on Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi in Kurigram.

Professor Dr. Md. Hasibur Rashid, the vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), paid homage to the graveyards of Genocide and the monument of Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi on November 09, 2021, at Air-Khamar in Lalmonirhat. He was the chief guest of the session organized by the North Bengal Museum, Kurigram. Prof. Rashid asked the authority to renovate the monument and attached 95 (ninety-five) people with anameplate at Air-Khamar in Lalmonirhat to disseminate the knowledge to the young generations and other people of Bangladesh. He thinks that people can learn something from these nameplate. He assured everyone that his administration of BRUR could assist in implementingthis project if needed. It was aremarkable and unique incident this year for the Air-Khamar monument as vice-chancellor and the current administration of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur gave floral bouquets to the Monument of Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi. Later, they and the family members of the martyrs prayed for them and visited the graveyard of Elahiand the other people who lost their lives in thegenocide.

Torespect his memory,the name of Bir Muktijoddha Khondkar Mukhtar Elahi has been given to various locations including a Hall, Road, Square, and Students Restroomto honor his sacrifices for the country. First of all, Carmichael College, Rangpur named a student restroom as the Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi (Chinu) Student Restroom inside the college. Secondly, the administration gave one of the prime roads of Rangpur city the name Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi Street, which spreads from Raja Ram Mohon Roy Market/Payra Chattarto Shapla Chattar, Rangpur. It was observed that some shopkeepers or institutions did not utilize the proper names to address Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi Street. Moreover, some people are not used to using the appropriaterepresentation of the street, which is miserable for us. Therefore, we need to create social awareness programs and administrative approaches to address this problem. We need to respect freedom fighters' monuments and other symbols as they sacrificed their lives for this region and for Bangladesh. Thirdly, the former Rangpur City Corporation mayor late Bir Muktijoddha Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu had initiated the process of giving the Medical Square the name Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi Square. Finally, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, has nameda hall in his name. The Hall was inaugurated on October 28, 2015. These initiatives, as mentioned earlier, were a good and laudable example of respecting him and his memories and will allow the younger generationsto know about his history.

North Bengal museum is a relevant discussion here as the museum preserved the history and documents of the liberation war and freedom fighters of Bangladesh. This museum was established in 2012 by Pubic Prosecutor (PP)SM Abraham Lincoln.He has already designed his residential palace as a museum and preserved some priceless and precious collections as well as memories of Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi including photographers, letters, books, and rare documents from the liberation war of Bangladesh. The museum organized a discussion session to commemorate the Air-Khamar Genocide Day and Shaheed Mukhtar K. Elahi'sdeath anniversary on November 09, 2021, in Kurigram. SM Lincoln made his residence as a heritage site and historical museum,a unique example in the world.

Shaheed K. Mukhtar Elahi was a legend and philosopher. This is evident from analyzing his writings and contributions tothe liberation war of Bangladesh. The authority needs to preserve his memories, the histories of other freedom fighters, martyrs, and intellectual people of Rangpur. We and the younger generations need to study the history of freedom fighters to know their contributions and sacrifices for the country. If we want to explore the liberation movement of Rangpur, we need to study more and talk with freedom fighters who were in the battles, researchers, writers, and concerned authorities. The young generation always playsa vital role in national struggles, movements, and played a key role in the liberation war of Bangladesh.

Therefore, it is the noble duty of the youth to know about the history of national heroes' and their earlier activities, the memories of freedom fighters, and about the liberation war of Bangladesh as a whole. Last but not least, learnig more about the spirit of Shaheed Mukhtar Elahi will serve the national interest of our country, and the people will be inspired to sacrifice their lives for the countries if needed.


Md Habibur Rahman is a Researcher, Writer, and Columnist