Bangladesh
March 26 March 26, Dhaka turned into a mortuary
Special Report, Dhaka, March 26: Mominul Haque Khoka was the regular companion of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the fifties. Being in Bangabandhu's company for a long, he became a silent witness of many incidents in the past. After Bangabandhu was arrested on the night of March 25, 1971, he shouldered the responsibility of the the former's entire family. He kept Bangabandhu's family safe until they were caught by the Pakistani forces. At this time, he remained in hiding with everyone in different places of the capital. From Mominul Haque Khoka's memorial book titled 'Astaragae Smriti Samujjwal: Bangabandhu, Tar Poribar O Ami', the events after March 25 are highlighted:
The shootings started as soon as I reached home. I and my wife both spread our eyes through the window. The beginning of the infernal violence of the violent forces, the beginning of the most brutal genocide of the century. From time to time the monstrous exultation of the soldiers. Suddenly I saw that towards Road number 32, the whole sky was illuminated for a few moments by a bright blue light. Unable to understand anything, my mind filled with unknown fears. I later heard that the army had set up such a beacon to inform the other comrades at the very moment of taking Miyabhai away. On the battlefield, such a signal is given by the victorious forces at the moment of occupation of any area occupied by the enemy.
On the morning of March 26, a non-Bengali voice repeatedly announced on the radio in a distorted tone: "Curfew, curfew, curfew has been imposed in the whole city, if anyone is seen on the streets, they will be shot." The whole city was like a city of the dead, Dhaka was transformed into a besieged city. What happened to Bangabandhu? My wife kept saying, “Try a little and see if you can go. Think of Miyabhai's words that night.” I ran out at one point. But I could not go far, the Pak soldiers were firing from time to time. It was not possible to go in, I came back.
Earlier in the day, it was announced on the radio that President Yahya Khan would address the nation at night. But after spending last night in Nadir Shahi horror, no one was left to understand what he was going to say. In his speech, he blamed the Awami League for the failure to negotiate with the Awami League leaders in Dhaka, calling the non-cooperation movement an act of sedition and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his party enemies of Pakistan.
As usual, I listen to the BBC English news at ten o'clock at night. The BBC quoted President Yahya's speech at the beginning of the news and concluded by saying that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared the independence of East Pakistan. Spending the the whole night without sleep I went out before dawn. Curfew was still in place in Dhaka city. I got out my house, avoided the main road and went through Lalmatia crossing the walls of different houses in Dhanmondi residential area to the house of Mr. Ahmed Fazlul Rahman. From there I reached Mr. Bahauddin's house on the side road No. 32 in secret. Then it was dawn. Mr. Bahauddin's wife, a government employee, was startled to see me.
He said, “Brother Khoka, Kamal and Mohiuddin (Miyabhai's bodyguard) came over the wall last night. They left this morning, but I can't say where they went, and I can't say anything about number 32.” From Mr. Bahauddin house, I went from this house to that house and reached number 32. It was like an abandoned house for a long. The sign of the violence spread over the whole house is everywhere. There was no response anywhere. I stood in silence for a while. I crossed the wall again and reached the house next door.
Mr. Musharraf, a prominent bureaucrat during the Ershad government and later a BNP MP lived in this house. I saw Bhabi, Jamal and Russell sitting on the ground floor of the house. Seeing me, Bhabi cried out, "Bhadi, you have come. They took your Miyabhai, where we will go now" - Bhabi's words made it seem as if they had been waiting for me all day yesterday. I reassured Bhabi, “Don't worry Bhabi, I am here. You stay a little longer, Let me get my car.” I came out of the house and stood on the road, I saw a car coming from a distance. The car suddenly stopped in front of me. I saw the driver of the car is Kamal's friend Tareq (Barrister Ajmal Hossain, QC).
He looked at me and said, "Uncle, where are you going? Let me drop you off." I took Bhabi, Jamal and Russell in Tareq's car to my relative and friend Morshed Mahmud's house on Road No. 2 in Dhanmondi. Tareq dropped us off and left. I went to Morshed Mahmud's house and saw that everyone was packing their bag & boxes and getting ready to leave. I said to Bhabi, "Sit here, I am bringing my car from Zaki brother's house." Bhabi was in a state of insanity, sighing and saying, "I'm not thinking about your Miyabhai, where did Kamal go?" I brought the car from Zaki brother's house and put Bhabi and everyone in the car. But I can't decide where to go.
The curfew has been relaxed till 4 pm. Dhaka residents are running outside the city in fear. When I was restless in my thoughts, suddenly thought of my friend Captain Rahman. His house was on Dhanmondi Road number 15. I took everyone to his house. At that time, Sheikh Kamal and Aminul Haque Badsha, the press secretary of Miyabhai, came to this house after searching at Zaki Bhai’s house. Captain Rahman told his wife to arrange for everyone's breakfast immediately, and to bring a blade from the shop with someone. Kamal has already arrived. Spent the whole night at a friend's house.
Captain Rahman told me and Kamal to shave the Mustache. At one point he told me, “You know, I'm a government official, so I have to get to the office right away. I made a deal with a shipping gentleman. He will fix a launch in a few days so that we all can go to India.” Then Captain Rahman left for the office.(To be continued)
