Bir Protik Taramon Bibi laid to rest with state honour

Bir Protik Taramon Bibi was laid to eternal rest on Saturday at her family graveyard in Rajibpur upazila of Kurigram district.

A smartly turned out contingent of police forces gave a guard of honour and bugle played the last post before the namaz-e-janaza of Taramon Bibi held on her Katcharipara residence around 2 pm, report BSS and UNB.

Freedom fighters, political leaders, professionals, socio-cultural activists and elite of Rangpur region joined the namaz-e-janaza of the freedom fighter.

Her coffin was draped with the national flag. District, police and upazila administrations, Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties and other organisations placed wreaths on her coffin after the namaz-e-janaza to show respect to the heroic daughter of the soil.

The valiant freedom fighter breather her last at her residence at Madhdabpur area in the upazila at 1:30 am last night.

She had been suffering from diabetics and lung problems for long. Taramon Bibi was married to Abdul Majid. She left behind husband, a son, one daughter and huge admirers to mourn her death.

Taramon Bibi was one of the two female liberation war veterans in Bangladesh obtaining the prestigious gallantry award-‘Bir Protik.

Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death the valiant freedom fighter

In a condolence message, the head of the state said the nation and its freedom-loving people will always remember her contribution with due respect.

The President prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members of the late freedom fighter.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister recalled Taramon Bibi's outstanding contributions to Bangladesh's Liberation War.

"Taramon Bibi had played a courageous role in resisting the Pakistan occupation forces with weapons, and her contributions to the Liberation War will ever be remembered," Sheikh Hasina said.

The Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to her bereaved family members.

Taramon Bibi took part in the War of Liberation in Sector number 11 under the command of Colonel Abu Taher at the call of Bangabandhu after being inspired by Habilder Muhib at Char Rajibpur Muktijoddha Camp.

She first started cooking for the freedom fighters — but soon began spying to gather information on movements of the occupations forces — and subsequently took part in the battles after getting arms training from Habilder Muhib.

After independence, she returned to her native Sankar Madhobpur village (now eroded by river erosion) under Rajibpur upazila and got married to Abdul Mazid in 1974.

The then government of Bangabandhu awarded Taramon Bibi the gallantry title ‘Bir Pratik’ in recognition of her courage and bravery during the War of Liberation.

Former Awami League lawmaker from Kurigram-4 constituency Zakir Hossain and incumbent lawmaker Ruhul Amin, Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram Sultana Pervin, Superintendent of Police Mehedul Karim, Public Prosecutor of Kurigram Advocate Abraham Lincon, former District Muktijoddha Commander Sirajul Islam Tuku, Rajibpur upazila Muktijoddha Commander Abdul Hye, Rajibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehedi Hasan, Chilmari upazila Chairman Shawkat Ali Sarker, Bir Bikram, Civil Surgeon of Kurigram Dr Aminul Islam, freedom fighters, officials and common people attended the janaza and burial process.

Vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Joynul Bari, Deputy Inspector General for Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police Devdas Bhattacharya, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud, Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sultana Pervin and Superintendent of Police Mehedul Karim expressed their deep shock at the death of Taramon Bibi.

They conveyed their deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of the veteran female freedom fighter.