Komol was hit by a bullet in the eyes near the end of the war, an incident memorialised by poet Abu Zafar Obaidullah in the poem ‘Komol’s Eye’
Published : 07 Oct 2024, 11:12 AM
Valiant Liberation War freedom fighter Bir Uttom Masrur-Ul-Haque Siddique has died.
He breathed his last at 12:08am on Monday at the Specialised Hospital in Dhaka, his family said.
He was popularly known by his nickname ‘Komol Siddique.’
Towards the end of the Liberation War, Komol was hit by a bullet in his right eye while fighting at Bhatiapara. Poet Abu Zafar Obaidullah wrote a poem titled ‘Komoler Chokh’ or ‘Komol’s Eye’ following the incident.
Zafar also mentioned his friend Komol in another famous poem titled ‘Ami Kingbodontir Kotha Bolchhi’.
Masrur-Ul-Siddique, the son of Z Ahmed and Wazeda Ahmed from Habkhali village in Narail Sadar Upazila, became involved in cultural activities while studying at the engineering university.
He began his career as assistant engineer with the former Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) which was later divided into the Water Development Board and the Power Development Board.
After the Liberation War began in 1971, he joined the war as a freedom fighter. Later, he went to India and participated in the administrative work of the Bangladesh government for three months. Afterwards, he joined the armed struggle again.
Komol was trained in the first Bangladesh War Course and participated in guerrilla warfare in Jashore, Narail and Faridpur.
He proved his bravery in the Boira sub-sector raid, ambush and guerrilla warfare under sector No. 8. His strategy led the Mukti Bahini to defeat the Pakistani forces at the battle in Narail’s Nabagangar Paar. He was the first to hoist the Bangladesh flag in Narail on Dec 7.
Bangladesh was freed on Dec 16, but the Pakistani forces in Gopalganj’s Bhatiapara had yet to surrender. Under the orders of Sector Commander Abul Manzur, Komol Siddique went to free Bhatiapara.
On Dec 18 or 19, amid the fighting, he was hit by a bullet in the eye. The Pakistani forces there surrendered on that day.
“It was much safer not to fight. But I promised to fight,” Komol said in an interview later.
After independence, he was honoured with the Bir Uttom title by the government of Bangladesh.
His brother, M Majedul Haque, was the minister of agriculture during the Ziaur Rahman government.
He leaves behind his wife Syeda Rokeya Siddique and two daughters.