Sakhina Begum, a brave female freedom fighter from Kishoreganj, has passed away at the age of 93. She breathed her last on Tuesday morning at her niece’s house in Bormoipara village. The news was confirmed by Hilchia Union Parishad Chairman, Mazharul Haque Nahid.
Her Early Life
Sakhina Begum was born in Gurui village of Nikli Upazila, Kishoreganj – a haor (wetland) area. Her father’s name was Sonafor Mia, and her mother’s name was Dukkhi Bibi. She had no children. Her husband, Kitab Ali, died before the Liberation War.
Since no one was there to take care of her in Nikli, she lived with her niece, Fairunnesa Akter, in Hilchia village, Bajitpur, for the last part of her life.
A Familiar Face in the Community
Local BNP leader of Hilchia Union, Niaz Mamun Rahman Puton, said that Sakhina Begum had been living in Bormoipara for almost 40 years. She passed away at around 5:00 am due to old age. He shared how she used to tell stories of the Liberation War to the younger generation and remembered her as a heroic freedom fighter.
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Burial and Last Honors
Md. Tota Mia, the Chairman of Gurui Union in Nikli, said that Sakhina will be buried beside the Shah Mosque in her village. Her funeral prayer (janaza) will be held after Asr prayer at the Gurui Eidgah ground on Tuesday.
A Courageous Role in the Liberation War
During the 1971 Liberation War, Sakhina Begum actively took part in the fight for freedom. Her nephew, Motiur Rahman, died in the war while fighting against the Pakistani army and their collaborators (Razakars). His death deeply affected her and made her determined to take revenge.
Her Brave Contributions
Sakhina worked as a cook in a freedom fighters’ camp led by the Bosu Bahini in Gurui area. While doing her cooking work, she secretly collected important information about Razakars and shared it with the freedom fighters.
At one point, she was caught by the Pakistani army but managed to escape cleverly. While escaping, she took a sharp machete (da) with her. Later, using that same machete, she killed five Razakars in Nikli.
That historic machete used by Sakhina Begum is now preserved at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka.
source: BD 24 Report
