Mir Shawkat Ali

Mir Shawkat Ali
Mir Shawkat Ali
Member of the Jatiyo Sangshad from Dhaka-8
	In office; 27 February 1991 – 1996
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Preceded by	Anwar Hossain
Succeeded by	Haji Mohammad Salim
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
	In office; 27 July 1986 – 30 July 1987
President	Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Preceded by	Fakhruddin Ahmed
Succeeded by	Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) K M Shafiullah
Personal details
Born	11 January 1938 (age 82); Dhaka
Died	20 November 2010; Dhaka
Resting place	Banani military graveyard
Awards	Bir Uttom
Military service
Allegiance	Bangladesh; Pakistan (before 1971)
Branch/service	Bangladesh Army; Pakistan Army;
Years of service	(1971-1981) Bangladesh; (1958-1971) Pakistan;
Rank	Lieutenant-General
Unit	East Bengal Regiment
Commands	Principal Staff Officer of the army; Chief of General Staff; Sector Commander of the Sector 5;
Battles/wars	Bangladesh Liberation War; 1965 Indo-Pak War;

Mir Shawkat Ali, Bir Uttom (11 January 1938 - 20 November 2010) was a general in Bangladesh Army and also a politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He was a freedom fighter during Bangladesh liberation war and a Sector Commander of the Mukti Bahini. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower. He was awarded the Bir Uttom for his contribution during Bangladesh liberation war.[1][2]

Early life

He was born in Nazira Bazar, Dhaka, East Bengal on 11 January 1938 . He studied at Mahuttuli Free Primary School in Dhaka. He graduated from Armanitola Government High School in 1953 and Dhaka College in 1955. After graduation he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. In 1958 he received his commission in Pakistan army.[2]

Military career

In Pakistan army

He served in a number of units including the military intelligence department. He first experience of battle came from the 1965 Indo-Pak War in Rangpur border. He joined the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in 1971 at Sholasahar, Chittagong.

Bangladesh liberation war

After Operation searchlight on 25 March 1971, he revolted with his unit the Eighth East Bengal Regiment. He joined the Bangladesh Liberation war. On 30 March 1971 he was given command of the entire Regiment.[2]

He commanded the Battle of Kalurghat in April 1971. After Kalurghat fell he retreated to Bandarban with his unit. He crossed the border into India. After the formation of Mujibnagar government he was appointed sector-5 commander. He commanded 12 thousand men in his sector. In August 1971 he was promoted to Lieutenant colonel.

For his gallantry he was awarded Bir Uttom, the second highest award in Bangladesh for his role in the war.

In Bangladesh army

He formed the Infantry Brigade in Chittagong from 1972 to 1974. In 1975 he was made the Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh army. He was chairman of Old Dhaka Development Committee and Bangladesh Football Federation, Chief Martial Law Administrator of Dhaka.[2]

From 1980 to 1981 he was the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Army.

He retired in the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Political career

After retirement he served as ambassador to Egypt, Austria, United Kingdom, Sudan, Germany, and Portugal. He resigned his diplomatic post in protest against the dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

He joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shortly afterwards. In 1991 he was elected to parliament from Dhaka-8. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower .[3] He was the vice president of Sector Commanders Forum.[2]

War criminals trial

As a freedom fighter he took issue with BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami since their top leaders were accused of war crime. He left BNP because of disagreements with chairperson Khaleda Zia regarding Jamaat-e-Islami inclusion in the Four Party Alliance. In a statement he said,

"It hurts my conscience when I have to sit with Razakaar and al-Badrs at the same table. It reminds me of the days in 1971 when boys fought under my command and laid down their lives."

He was one of the pioneers of war crimes trial movement. He campaigned countrywide to raise support for the trial.[3][4]

Death

On 20 November 2010 he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in Banani Military graveyard.[2][4]

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References

"Mir Shawkat no more". The Daily Star. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
Hossain, Urmee. "Ali, Lt General Mir Shawkat". en.banglapedia.org. Banglapedia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
"Shawkat Ali attacks BNP's alliance with Jamaat, quits party post". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
"Bangladesh war hero to be buried with military honors on Monday". Retrieved 21 November 2016.

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[1] "Mir Shawkat no more". The Daily Star. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2016.

[hgfd-2] Hossain, Urmee. "Ali, Lt General Mir Shawkat". en.banglapedia.org. Banglapedia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.

[:0-3] "Shawkat Ali attacks BNP's alliance with Jamaat, quits party post". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

[:1-4] "Bangladesh war hero to be buried with military honors on Monday". Retrieved 21 November 2016.