Munshi Abdur Rouf

Munshi Abdur Rouf

Lance Nayek , Munshi Abdur Rouf Bir Sreshtho
Native name মুন্সী আবদুর রউফ
Born 1 May 1943 (1943-05)
Salamatpur village, Boalmari thana (currently Madhukhali thana), Faridpur District, Bangladesh
Died 18 April 1971 (1971-04-19) (aged 27)
Kurighat, Chittagong
Allegiance Bangladesh
Years of service 8 May 1963 - 18 April 1971
Rank Lance Nayek
Unit East Pakistan Rifles
Battles/wars Bangladesh Liberation War
Awards Bir Sreshtho

Munshi Abdur Rouf (Bengali: মুন্সী আবদুর রউফ; 1 May 1943 – 18 April 1971) was a Lance Nayek in the East Pakistan Rifles during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[1] He enlisted in the East Pakistan Rifles on 8 May 1963, and was attached with a regular infantry unit during the War of Liberation. Rouf died on 18 April 1971 at Burighat in Chittagong Hill Tracts after causing extensive damage to the Pakistani Army with his machine gun and forcing them to retreat. He was buried at Naniarchor Upazilla in Rangamati District.[2]

He was awarded Bir Sreshtho, which is the highest recognition of bravery in Bangladesh.[3]

Early life

Munshi Abdur Rouf was born on 1 May 1943 at Salamatpur village (renamed Rouf Nagar)[4] under Boalmari thana (currently Madhukhali thana) in Faridpur District.[5] His father Munshi Mehedi Hossain was an "Imam" at a local mosque and his mother was Mukidunnesa. He had two sisters, their names were Zahura and Hazera.[6] After his father's death in 1955, Rouf had to stop his education at the eighth grade. He joined the East Pakistan Rifles on 8 May 1963. He had to increase his age three years in order to get the job. After the preliminary training at the EPR camp at Chuadanga, Rouf went to West Pakistan to receive advanced training. He was appointed to Comilla after 6 months.

Death

The East Bengal Regiment wanted to restrict the Pakistani Army from using the Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway. Thus, they camped at both of the Chingri Lakes at Burighat.[7] Rouf was serving as a soldier in this company. In order to prevent the Pakistani Army from utilizing the Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway, the Regiment[8] constructed a camp at both sides.

Grave of Shahid Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf Bir Shreshtho at Burighat, Naniarchar, Rangamati

On 18 April 1971, the Pakistani Army attacked the Mukti Bahinis defensive position of with 7 speed boats and 2 launches.[9] Their mission was to drive the Mukti Bahini away from the waterway of Rangamati and Mohalchari. Pakistani forces managed to disorient Mukti Bahini by coming closer to them and firing heavily. In the meantime Pakistanis surrounded the freedom fighters and managed to isolate nearly 100 of them. Rouf realized the threat to the entire company. So, he crawled forward to his trench and continuously fired towards the enemies with his automatic machine gun. As a result, the Pakistanis dragged their launches back to a safer place and resumed firing from there. Suddenly a mortar hit Rouf directly and he was immediately killed. Rouf's valiant effort helped his company to survive as his act saved nearly 150 soldiers of the Mukti Bahini on that day.

Legacy

Bangladesh Rifles College was renamed Bir Shrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College in Pilkhana in 2014.[10][11] A monument for Rouf was built by Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB-16) at Shalbagan, midpoint of the Chittagong-Rangamati road, Sapchhari.[12] A high school in Manikchari Muslim Para, Mahalchhari, Khagrachari has been named after him.[13] A cricket stadium has been named is Sylhet after him.[14] A college in Faridpur was named after him, which was nationalised by the Government.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Shaon, Ashif Islam. "At Pilkhana Darbar Hall, Hasina lauds BGB role". dhakatribune.com. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  2. ↑ General Information. "Bank Protective Work along the Graveyard of Bir Sharsta Munshi Abdur Rouf in Kaptai Lake of Upazila Naniarhcar dist: Rangamati Hill District form Km. 0.00 to 0.070 Km = 70m in Connection". dgmarket.com. dgmarket.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Unb. "War heroes honoured". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 Staff. "Birshreshtha Rouf's mother expresses gratitude to govt". newstoday.com.bd. Editor on behalf of Newscorp Publications Limited. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. "Bir Sreshtha Rouf's mother laid to rest". newagebd.net. the Chairman, Editorial Board ASM Shahidullah Khan on behalf of Media New Age Ltd. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Alam, Rafiul. "Unforgettable Heroes of Bangladesh". albd.org. Bangladesh Awami League. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Contributor. "BIR SRESHTHOS OF LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH". amader-kotha.com. amader-kotha.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Correspondent. "Today is the 41 th anniversary of Bir Munshi Abdur Rouf". amardeshonline.com. Daily Amardesh. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Ahmed, Mostak. "MOSTAK AHMED March 27, 2012 Famous people in Bangladesh history (Part – I)". bangladesh-travel-assistance.com. Bangladesh Travel Assistance. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Mia, Sajeeb. "Heading to 'Baisabi'". en.prothom-alo.com. Prothom Alo. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Admin. "Latest News". abdurroufcollege.ac.bd. Birshrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Chakma, Shantimoy. "MA Rouf Square in Rangamati". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  13. ↑ Staff. "Bir Shresto Munshi Abdur Rouf High School". somogrobangladesh.com. Somogro Bangladesh. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  14. ↑ Ministry of Sports. "Cricket". nsc.gov.bd. National Sports Council. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
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