Munshi Abdur Rouf

Munshi Abdur Rouf (Bengali: মুন্সী আবদুর রউফ; 8 May 1943 – 8 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 8 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 Upazila in Rangamati District.[2]

Munshi Abdur Rouf
Lance Nayek , Munshi Abdur Rouf Bir Sreshtho
Native name
মুন্সী আবদুর রউফ
Born8 May 1943 (1943-05-08)
Salamatpur village, Boalmari thana (currently Madhukhali thana), Faridpur District Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British Raj
Died8 April 1971 (1971-04-09) (aged 27)
Burighat,Naniyachar ,Rangamati.
AllegianceBangladesh
Years of service8 May 1963 – 8 April 1971
RankLance Nayek
UnitEast Pakistan Rifles
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
AwardsBir Sreshtho

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

Early life

Munshi Abdur Rouf was born on 8 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 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 Chengi Lakes at Burighat.[7] Rouf was serving as a soldier in this company. To prevent the Pakistani Army from using 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 8 April 1971, the Pakistani Army attacked the Mukti Bahinis defensive position 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 realised 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]

  • Shahid Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf Bir Shreshtho Mausoleum at Burighat, Naniarchar, Rangamati-View from North
  • Shahid Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf Bir Shreshtho Mausoleum at Burighat, Naniarchar, Rangamati-View of island from North

References
  1. Shaon, Ashif Islam. "At Pilkhana Darbar Hall, Hasina lauds BGB role". 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. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  3. "War heroes honoured". The Daily Star. UNB. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. "Birshreshtha Rouf's mother expresses gratitude to govt". newstoday.com.bd. Editor on behalf of Newscorp Publications Limited. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. "Bir Sreshtha Rouf's mother laid to rest". New Age. BSS. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  6. Alam, Rafiul. "Unforgettable Heroes of Bangladesh". Bangladesh Awami League. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  7. Contributor. "BIR SRESHTHOS OF LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH". amader-kotha.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  8. "Today is the 41 th anniversary of Bir Munshi Abdur Rouf". Amar Desh. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  9. Ahmed, Mostak. "MOSTAK AHMED March 27, 2012 Famous people in Bangladesh history (Part – I)". Bangladesh Travel Assistance. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  10. Mia, Sajeeb. "Heading to 'Baisabi'". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  11. "Birshrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College". Birshrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  12. Chakma, Shantimoy. "MA Rouf Square in Rangamati". The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  13. Staff. "Bir Shresto Munshi Abdur Rouf High School". Somogro Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  14. Ministry of Sports. "Cricket". National Sports Council. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
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