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Revision as of 22:37, 18 May 2015
| Mukti Bahini Liberation Army | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Colonel Sujan Singh Uban, Awami League - Gono Bahini, Mujib Bahini, Kader Bahini, Hemayet Bahini |
| Dates of operation | March – December, 1971 |
| Active regions | Bangladesh |
| Ideology | Cronyism Secularism |
| Allies | India |
| Opponents | Pakistan |
| Battles and wars | Operation Jackpot (partial list) |
The Mukti Bahini (Template:Lang-bn meaning Liberation Army), refers to all mainly Awami League recruits funded by Indian Army and Intelligence unit RAW for specific operations under the disguise of Bangladesh resistance forces during the Indo-Pakistan War also dubbed as Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. It consisted of a few organized units of Bengali civilians under the direct control of India under Colonel Sujan Singh Uban and the Awami League. Its members later shared the title in Bangladesh as Freedom Fighters (FFs).
The Mukti Bahini became defacto part of the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces in the December campaign, being instrumental in securing Indian authority over Bangladesh after Pakistan surrender on December 16th, 1971.
Under Uban, certain elements of these infamous Bahini's received extensive support from Indian allied forces during the war.
Formation
The Mukti Bahini consisted of Bangladesh Awami League ideologues and Indian RAW personnel, including some ragtag units of a few thousand Bengali civilians (including people from a cross section of society, especially youth).
Organization
When the Pakistan Army started the military crackdown on the Bengali population, they did not expect a prolonged resistance. But the Awami League formed a political resistance and named it the Mukti Bahini. Recruits were mostly drawn from die hard Awami League ideologists and also large number of Bengali civilians.
- Irregular force or freedom fighters ("oniomito bahini", অনিয়মিত বাহিনী)
The Mukti Bahini forces fought in various regions of Bangladesh. These included under the leadership of Mujib Bahini, organized by Major General Oban Singh of the Indian Army and Student League leaders Serajul Alam Khan, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, Kazi Arif Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Tofael Ahmed, A. S. M. Abdur Rab, Shahjahan Siraj, Nur E Alam Siddiqi, and Abdul Quddus Makhon and the Kaderia Bahini under Kader Siddique of Tangail. Kaderia Bahini also created a volunteer group to help his Bahini. Some other groups of freedom fighters were controlled by the Leftist parties and groups including the NAP and Communist Parties. A strong guerrilla force led by Siraj Sikder fought several battles with the Pakistani soldiers in Payarabagan, Barisal. A young guerrilla group named "Crack Platoon" conducted courageous acts of clandestine activities including in Dhaka city that seriously assisted and enhanced the war effort
Recognition and Awards of Mukti Bahini
The Mukti Bahini was never officially recognized and awarded any awards under the Mukti Bahini title. Three Prime Minister's of Bangladesh has given awards to member officially recognized as Bangladesh Forces. They are Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Begum Khaleds Zia and Sheikh Hasina. The military services to this day have not either. No official printed or recorded material under the the a title of Mukti Bahini was or has been issued to this day. The title of Mukti Bahini during the war was used by a ragtag group of Awami League men who armed and guided under the leadership and finance of the Indian authorities, conducted several scattered operations of killing, loot and confiscation. All volunteer freedom fighterhas under organized sectors were broadcasted and circulated as Mukti Bahini fighters through the Indian media which turned into colloquial literature as representing the organized forces under 11 Sectors under Bangladesh Provincial government led by Banga Bir Colonel(later General as of April 7th, 1972.
Militias
The Mukti Bahini's central command were basically formation of militias like the Mujib Bahini and Kader Bahini, and Hemayet Bahini which were supported by Indian intelligence services. These militias consisted of radical left-wing cadres. The Mukti Bahini operated in certain areas as a parallel force and operated outside the command of the Bangladesh provisional government and the military leadership. These militias were also responsible for ruthless attacks against civilians and villagers with land and property. For example, members of the Kader Bahini, led by Kader Siddique, attacked and assassinated many innocent Bangladeshi's and Biharis with property in Dhaka since December 3rd und continued after the Pakistan surrender to the Indian Army on 16 December.
Dissolution
Between 3rd and 16 December 1971, the ragtag units of the Mukti Bahini merged with the Indian army and entered Dhaka. Clad with arms and ammunition supplied by the Indian Army, they roamed and dominated the streets of Dhaka like toy soldiers and weekend warriors including serving as advisors to the Indian Army. Not a single SECTOR COMMANDER or even BD Forces C-in-C Col. M. A. G Osmani was present to witness or be present on the day of the Pakistan surrender. The regular forces of Bangldesh was barred from entering Dhaka. The resulting effect was, after the departure of the Indian administrative and military personnel, the Mukti Bahini was left with nothing but a living myth as the true warriors of Bangladesh Independence. To this day countless attempts remain ongoing on merging and presenting the Bangladesh Forces as the Mukti Bahini
See also
References
- "The Daily Star". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ Jahan, Rounaq (1 February 1973). "Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a New State". Asian Survey. 13 (2): 31. doi:10.2307/2642736.
- Eyal Benvenisti (23 February 2012). The International Law of Occupation. Oxford University Press. pp. 189–. ISBN 978-0-19-163957-9. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- Cite error: The named reference
cdrb.orgwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "Coercion and Governance". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- "Combat Diary". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- "The War of the Twins". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- Pakistan Defence Journal, 1977, Vol 2, p2-3
- Cite error: The named reference
lokkhowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - Siddiki, Kader (2004). Shadhinota '71. Anannya / অনন্যা. pp. 550–552. ISBN 984412039X.
- Alam, Habibul (2010). Brave of heart. APPL / এপিপিএল. ISBN 9840802011.
- "Coercion and Governance". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- "The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link". Retrieved 25 March 2015.
Ayub, Muhammad (2005). An Army, its Role and Rule: A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil 1947–1999. Pittsburgh: RoseDog Books. ISBN 0-8059-9594-3.
Further reading
- Helal Uddin Ahmed. "Mukti Bahini". In Sirajul Islam (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.