Where the Kapatokkha River ends: The Bangladesh of 1971

Bringing the terrors of 1971 Partition through an oral account of a survivor who made it all the way across the Kapatokkha River (which marks the end of present-day Bangladesh) to India.

 Boatmen carrying people across the River during 1971 Partition, Source: India Times

The unanticipated event of 1971 left the survivors traumatized with the memories of partition. Tears roll down from their eyes even now when they are asked to talk about their past experiences.

One of such stories of partition between the two Pakistan(s) is recited by N.K. Chakarborty, who in his young 20s has left no choice but to move out of his “sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal) into his-to-be motherland- India. During late 1960(s) and early 1970(s), while pursuing a Masters in Applied Chemistry from Dhaka University he came across the reality that East Pakistan can no longer be a part of Pakistan as a whole.

There was a sudden urge for a new nation- Bangladesh. Along with the Independence in 1947, came the Mountbatten plan stating the eastern and western frontiers of India comprising of Muslim majority to form a separate nation known as Pakistan resulting in migration of people on a large scale.

By 1956 Pakistan drafted its constitution which arose new problems. West Pakistan started imposing its’ culture and Urdu language over East Pakistan and took the hold of the entire administration. East Pakistan thus sought independence from West Pakistan under the leadership of Awami League’s Sheikh Mujib-Ur Rehman. Mujib-ur launched a non-cooperation movement and demanded a separate nation in 1971- Bangladesh.

This account of N.K. Chakraborty talks about his experiences and his struggles as he crossed the borders in 1971.

Growing up in East Pakistan has already sowed the seed of dissatisfaction against the government of Pakistan. Chakraborty recalls that he was taught the two-nation theory back in 5th grade; it was made clear that partition took place due to the selfish political interests of political leaders. While pursuing his Masters's from Dhaka University, he and a few of his fellows stayed in a particular area of Dhaka University, called the Jagannath Hall. The situation worsened when elections took place in the 1970s when the Awami League won a majority and yet was not allowed to form the government.

“The uprising rose during my final year. Students and professors feared that they would not be able to finish their studies. But luckily, I managed to get my mark sheet early. The Head of Department and Dean of Science faculty Dr. Hussain helped me to get the mark sheet. He also informed the students about the severity of the current situation of that time. It was then when I realized that I cannot stay here any longer. So I did not wait to get my certificate.”

Hartals and rebellions took out to the streets. The Head of the Department and Dean of Science faculty- Dr. Hussain foresighted circumstances for the minorities of East Pakistan and helped them to get their mark-sheet before time. The movement against West Pakistan for Bangladesh rose in East Pakistan and thus Yayha Khan who had his government in Pakistan sent Paramilitary forces in East Pakistan to suppress the riots. The Para Military unleashed brutality against those who stood for the idea of a separate nation.

They were ruthless. Houses were burned. Men were killed. Women and young girls were raped.

“Zafar, oi Rajakar ta.(Zafar, that Rajakar)

He knew exactly how to get out of there. He has been doing this only… you know… sending messages from here to there…crossing borders. I did not trust him, but he was the only one who could get me out. He was a double-sided spy I would say. Muslim League and our people. He worked for both.”

Anis Ahmad mentioned that the Paramilitary was able to gain control of more than half of present-day Bangladesh as they had the access to information provided by the Rajakars (the citizens of East Pakistan who worked for West Pakistan) on riots’ locations.

One of the seniors of the Chakarborty, Zafar, worked as a Rajakar.

Seeing the worsening situation, India which was under the rule of Indira Gandhi, opened its border for the refugees and helped East Pakistan to form the new nation- Bangladesh.

Though Zafar was not someone who could be trusted, people were left with no choice but to take his help to cross the border.

The Rajakars asked the Paramilitary to remove the connecting bridges and played an active role in Bangladesh genocide (“Kudhalia Massacre”). They killed people, raped women and girls, and made strategies to trap people who tried to run away.

“I no longer remember the ones I left behind. But my didi (sister). We started our journey towards Kolkata from Bati Kamary by boat. Then walked miles till Jessore. It took all of us seven days to reach Kapatokkha River across which was India. It was almost the end. Just at the end of it; I knew. I knew that crossing the Kapatokkha River would lead to where my destination is. Yet that river proved to be my greatest sorrow. We had to travel by boat. And it was risky…while moving if you carry too many luggage or your putli (bag) seems to be big and huge the naukawala (boatman) would kill you and loot your belongings…My didi. She was married to a jute businessman. She and her entire family was killed and looted by one of the naukawala. I still remember her.”

Chakarborty witnessed the horrific incident of his sister’s death. After crossing the Kapatokhha River, he and his family reached Bonga- the Indian border. Other families also joined them.

Saving themselves from the firing at the border they boarded a bus, which took them to a medical camp, set up by India for the Bangladeshi refugees. Receiving a “pass to India” and, they boarded a train from Bonga to Kalighat. He and his family stayed with their relatives in Kalighat and later moved to Delhi.

The process of settling down did not come to an end even after reaching Delhi. He was rejected from civil services. During the interview, he was questioned about his nationality as his education degrees were from Bangladesh. He was thus declared an alien to India. Joining a private firm in Dabur, he now is retired and is blessed with his beautiful family.

This is just one of the many oral accounts, which are accessed and converted into written history. Many such accounts are yet untold, unheard, and unread.

There are also cases reflecting a clear difference between what the government records say about the condition of the refugee and the actual status of a refugee that we get to know from their accounts.

> “*I no longer remember the ones I left behind. But my didi* (sister)*. We started our journey towards Kolkata from Bati Kamary by boat. Then walked miles till Jessore. It took all of us seven days to reach Kapatokkha River across which was India. It was almost the end. Just at the end of it; I knew. I knew that crossing the Kapatokkha River would lead to where my destination is. Yet that river proved to be my greatest sorrow. We had to travel by boat. And it was risky…while moving if you carry too many luggage or your putli* (bag) *seems to be big and huge the naukawala* (boatman) *would kill you and loot your belongings…My didi. She was married to a jute businessman. She and her entire family was killed and looted by one of the naukawala. I still remember her.”* >