RANGPUR – Legendary freedom fighter Taramon Bibi, Bir Pratik, was laid to eternal rest today at her family graveyard in Rajibpur upazila of Kurigram district.

Taramon Bibi died at her Katcharipara residence in Rajibpur upazila town of Kurigram district at 1:30 am last night. She was 63. She is survived by her husband Abdul Mazid, 65, only son Abu Taher, 32, and only daughter Majeda
Khatun, 34, family sources said.

A pall of gloom descended among the freedom fighters, political leaders, professionals, socio-cultural activists and elite of Rangpur region following the death of the veteran freedom fighter.

A smartly turned out contingent of police forces gave a guard of honour and bugle played the last post before the namaz-e-janaza of Taramon Bibi held on her Katcharipara residence courtyard at 2 pm.

Her coffin was draped with the national flag. District, police and upazila administrations, Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties and other organizations placed wreaths on her coffin after the namaz-e-janaza to show respect to the heroic daughter of the soil.

Former Awami League lawmaker from Kurigram-4 constituency Zakir Hossain and incumbent lawmaker Ruhul Amin, Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram Sultana Pervin, Superintendent of Police Mehedul Karim, Public Prosecutor of Kurigram Advocate Abraham Lincon, former District Muktijoddha Commander Sirajul Islam
Tuku, Rajibpur upazila Muktijoddha Commander Abdul Hye, Rajibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehedi Hasan, Chilmari upazila Chairman Shawkat Ali Sarker, Bir Bikram, Civil Surgeon of Kurigram Dr Aminul Islam, freedom fighters, officials and common people attended the janaza and burial process.

Vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Joynul Bari, Deputy Inspector General for Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police Devdas Bhattacharya, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud, Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sultana Pervin and Superintendent of Police Mehedul Karim expressed their deep shock at the death of Taramon Bibi.

They conveyed their deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of the veteran female freedom fighter.

Taramon Bibi took part in the War of Liberation in Sector number 11 under the command of Colonel Abu Taher at the call of Bangabandhu after being inspired by Habilder Muhib at Char Rajibpur Muktijoddha Camp.

She first started cooking for the freedom fighters — but soon began spying to gather information on movements of the occupations forces — and subsequently took part in the battles after getting arms training from
Habilder Muhib.

After independence, she returned to her native Sankar Madhobpur village (now eroded by river erosion) under Rajibpur upazila and got married to Abdul Mazid in 1974.

The then government of Bangabandhu awarded Taramon Bibi the gallantry title ‘Bir Pratik’ in recognition of her courage and bravery during the War of Liberation.