(continued from yesterday)
Decisions of the historic conference
When the meeting began at 11:00 a.m., Major Khaled Mosharraf presented its objectives and agenda. Several important decisions were unanimously adopted. The plan outlined several coordinated steps to strengthen the war effort and organisational structure. It began with the collection of arms, ammunition, and rations, followed by the establishment of training centers and securing permission to use territory adjacent to the Indian border. A unified command structure was proposed, placing Colonel Osmani in charge of overall coordination and direction of the war, alongside the creation of a monitoring cell to oversee progress. The strategy also included dividing the forces into four Army regions and assigning commanders – Major Zia, Major Shafiullah, Major Khaled, and Major Abu Osman Chowdhury – to lead them. Additionally, there was a focus on expanding Major Ziaur Rahman’s force, the 8th East Bengal Regiment. On the political front, the plan proposed forming the Government of Bangladesh and entrusted Colonel Osmani with initiating steps toward establishing a political government. Finally, it called for holding a subsequent review meeting to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.
At the end of the meeting, Colonel Osmani fired a blank shot from his pistol and formally declared war against the Pakistani forces.
The second Teliapara conference, April 10
As decided in the first meeting, a second Army meeting was held at Teliapara on April 10. Almost all who had attended the first meeting were present at the second as well. This meeting was necessary to review the implementation of the earlier decisions.
At the start of the meeting, Colonel Osmani was asked to report on how far he had progressed regarding the formation of a government with elected representatives. He informed them that he had already discussed the matter with several MNAs and MPAs who had crossed the border. Most of the representatives, he said, had understood the importance of the matter. He also stated that Tajuddin Ahmad had assured him that a Bangladesh government would soon be announced.
To transform the scattered armed resistance into coordinated action and bring it under a command structure, it was decided that the entire country would be divided into six Army regions instead of four.
The Teliapara conference and what followed
This meeting took place before the formation of the Government of Bangladesh. No written resolutions were preserved. However, the verbal decisions regarding organisation, leadership, and conduct of the war were later approved by the Bangladesh government that was formed afterward. In his historic radio address of April 10, Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad referred to some of the decisions of this meeting. Later, these decisions were expanded, refined, revised, and updated to make them more relevant to the evolving situation.
The meeting gave our forces an organisational concept, and they emerged under the identity of the Mukti Bahini. It was in this meeting that the greatest importance was placed on forming a political government. As a result of this conference, an unplanned rebellion began to turn into a war. The outline of an armed liberation struggle became clear.
Regarding the significance of the Teliapara Conference, Air Vice Marshal A. K. Khandker, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation War, wrote that when the nation was leaderless and political leaders were unable to make decisions in their scattered condition, the Army officers’ recommendation helped in forming a provisional government and establishing political leadership for the war. When political leaders, including Tajuddin, learned that the rebel Army officers had already proposed forming a political government, they felt reassured that at least some progress had been made toward war preparation. He described the officers’ action as highly commendable (1971, Vetore Baire).
On April 10, 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad announced the formation of the Government of Bangladesh in exile. Its formal implementation took place on April 17 at the oath-taking ceremony in Baidyanathtala, later named Mujibnagar, near the Indian border in Meherpur. It may be said that, in continuity with the Teliapara Conference, the exile government later divided Bangladesh into 11 sectors to conduct the armed war of independence. On April 12, the new government officially appointed Colonel M. A. G. Osmani as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Forces, with the status of a cabinet minister.
Teliapara in Books
Muhammad Sayeedur Rahman Talukdar, a son of Habiganj, social organiser, writer, and researcher, wrote an excellent research-based book on the Teliapara Conference titled Teliapara: Witness to the Fire of Liberation War (2023). The incident is also discussed in writer and researcher Sheikh Fazle Elahi’s book Habiganj District in the Liberation War.
Major General K. M. Shafiullah, Bir Uttam, who was present at the conference, discussed the matter in detail in his book Bangladesh at War. Colonel Shafayat Jamil, Bir Bikram, also wrote about it in The Liberation War of ’71, the Bloody Mid-August, and the Conspiratorial November. The well-read memoir Bar Bar Fire Jai by Major Akhtar Ahmed, Bir Protik, beautifully portrays Teliapara. At that time, he had been serving as a lieutenant (Doctor) at the headquarters of 4 East Bengal. Others who wrote on the Teliapara Conference include Major General Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Protik (Retd.), Major Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan, Colonel Mohammad Abdul Haq (Retd.) Lt. Colonel Muhammad Lutful Haq (Retd.), and Major Saidul Islam (Retd.).
Memorials of the Liberation War at Teliapara
Many important events of the Liberation War are connected with the manager’s bungalow and the tea garden area of Teliapara. It was here that Sector 3 was formed with 2 East Bengal along with associated EPR, police, and civilian manpower, and Teliapara remained the headquarters of Sector 3 until May 19, 1971. The first training center for freedom fighters was also established here. The bungalow also witnessed several bloody battles with Pakistan Army. Yet this historic structure is still being used as the residence of the managers of the Teliapara Tea Garden.
A memorial monument for the martyred freedom fighters has been built beside the bungalow. It was inaugurated in June 1975 by former Army Chief Major General K. M. Shafiullah. The monument, shaped like a bullet, has two plaques at the entrance inscribed with lines from poet Shamsur Rahman’s famous poem Swadhinata Tumi. Beside it stands another plaque erected by the BGB Sreemangal Sector titled “The First Army Headquarters of the Liberation War.” Surrounded by the greenery of the tea garden, the site also includes a natural lake. In the rainy season, when red Shapla (Water Lilies) bloom across it, the scenery becomes exceptionally beautiful.
Some relevant events concerning Teliapara and 2 East Bengal
For the officers and soldiers of 2 East Bengal, known as the Junior Tigers, Teliapara remains a source of pride and memory. The conference was held at the joint headquarters of 2 and 4 East Bengal. Until May 19, Teliapara remained the headquarters of both 2 East Bengal and Sector 3. This battalion made a glorious contribution to the Liberation War in greater Sylhet. It is noteworthy that while the Teliapara Conference was taking place, a company of 2 East Bengal under Captain M. Azizur Rahman (Later Major General & Bir Uttom) was fighting the Pakistani army in Sherpur, Sadipur, and Sylhet town. Major C. R. Dutta (Later Major General & Bir Uttom) was also engaged in the battle for Sylhet at that time.
Between 2001 and 2003, 2 East Bengal was stationed at Sylhet Cantonment, and I served in that unit during that period. Under a project of Army Headquarters, the battalion was assigned to collect information on the history of the Liberation War in Sylhet district. At the same time, we were working on the Liberation War history of 2 East Bengal as well. Many training activities, including winter and summer exercises, were held in Habiganj, Chunarughat, and Teliapara, requiring us to visit Teliapara many times.
(to be continued)
The writer is a Retired Brigadier General, Researcher and Analyst, Former Commanding Officer of 2 East Bengal
