DHAKA: December, the glorious month of victory and pride for the nation, begins on Monday. The nation earned its liberation after a nine-month long hard battle with the Pakistani occupation forces and materialized victory on December 16 of this month.

Around 43 years ago, on December 16, 1971, Bangladesh got its long-cherished victory against Pakistani army after a nine-month war.

In the elections of December 7, 1970 the Awami League won 160 out of 162 seats in East Pakistan, all but two, and would have had a clear majority in the new assembly had it been convened Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the majority party leader of the Pakistan National Assembly.

The military rulers of Pakistan refused to allow the Awami League to form a government.

A full scale movement of non-cooperation with the military government began on the 26th of March, 1971 which is celebrated as the Independence Day every year. Thus Bangladesh plunged into a gory war seeking its own birth.

The war broke out on 26 March 1971, when the Pakistani Army launched a military operation called Operation Searchlight against Bengali civilians, students, intelligentsia and armed personnel.

The trauma of nine months, the sacrifices of thirty lakh souls, the rape of two lakh women and the pillaging of villages and towns culminated in the final victory.

Different political, socio-cultural organizations chalk out programs to celebrate the nation’s victory throughout the month.

The victory day of this year is special as the execution of War crimes Tribunal’s verdicts has already been started.

The country people will step forward against all kinds of wrongdoing with a new pledge of building a safe, secure and beautiful Bangladesh in this inspiring month of victory.

BDST: 1258 HRS, DEC 01, 2014