On 14^th November, he had a road accident in Rupgonj, Narayangonj. In fact, he crossed the metal road situated in front of his own home at 11 p.m., at night, on 14^th November. Suddenly a motorbike desperately hit him and he became senseless immediately, on the spot. His two legs were completely broken. He was taken to the hospital. In the hospital he was given necessary treatment, with a bandage on two legs and one hand. Then the doctor released him from the orthopaedic hospital giving advice to see him (the doctor) back after 10 days. He was taken back by ambulance, but unfortunately he passed away on the way home. He was supposed to have received a heart attack in the ambulance, which the people along with him could not understand. His burial ceremony was carried out on 15^th November and he was buried in the family cemetery near his home.

He left behind his wife, 3 daughters, one son and a host of other family members.

Abdul Mannan Azad played a heroic role in the 1971-liberation war in Bangladesh. He was then very young and qas called as a tiger due to his courageous performance against the invader Pakistani army. After the liberation of the country, he was officially recognized as a freedom fighter and for the last 28 years he has been getting freedom fighter allowance and other facilities from the government. This allowance will continue with her wife and children throughout their lifetime.

As a registered freedom fighter, he was given a guard of honour from the government before his burial.

Abdul Mannan joined the Bangladesh Krishok Federation in 1991.That year a National Conference was held in Dashmina, Patukhali. At this conference, he became a central Committee Member. Again he became the Press and Publication Secretary in the 6^th National Conference of the BKF held in Dinajpur, one of the northern districts of Bangladesh.10000 delegates attended the conference.

The 7^th National Conference was held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in 2004. He was elected General Secretary of BKF Central Committee.

Abdul Mannan Azad.

Mannan has continued with this position until 2014. After 2012, he quitted the organization due to health reason. However, he engaged in various social activities locally. He was in good contact with the organization.

During the period of his involvement with BKF, there was a lot of hazardous works he performed. In early 1991 when a tough fight back waged against the local land terrors in Patuakhali District, he was present there with the fighting landless people. In early 1992 he helped those landless men and men occupy the Khasland in different small islands in the southern part of Bangladesh. He led another land occupation movement in Pathorgatha subdistrict in Borguna 2001. This occupation movement did not , but there is still an impact on the lives of landless people. Still a number of families are living in the Khasland there, but most of them were evicted by the police and local gondas (goons).

Abdul Mannan Azad.

In 2004, a successful land occupation took place in Bhurungamari subdistrict in Kurigram. The landless occupied 12.5 km long of the British regime abandoned railway land property. Mannan also played a tremendous role in organizing the aspirant landless people in this occupation movement. 2000 landless families have been rehabilitated there. During the movement 15 man and woman battlers were seriously injured and 31 false cases were filed against hundreds of local leaders of BKF, including comrade Mannan.

Moreover, led by Mannan, a massive land occupation took place in his own area from which local peasants benefited a lot.

In 1996, Mannan participated in the hunger strike to death for 6 days in Galachipa subdistrict, Patuakhali along with another 6 colleagues. Because of this hunger strike, the island landless residents were able to protect their rice crops from the hand of local muscle men who planned to bring their crops illegally.

Mannan participated in Climate Change, Gender and Food Caravan taking place in Bangladesh in 2011, when quite a number of foreign delegates attend the caravan.

Furthermore, a street has been constructed in the name of Abdul Mannan for his significant role in the liberation war of 1971.

As a representative of BKF Mannan visited different countries including India, Nepal, Hong Kong and Mali.

People are very saddened by the death of Abdul Mannan Azad in sudden an accident.

At the graveyard of Abdul Mannan Azad.

His demise is irreparable loss for landless, peasants, destitutes, toiling masses, etc.

Although he is no more, his struggling life will inspire a lot of people who are still on the move. Memories around him will stay alive for long.

Badrul Alam
President
Bangladesh Krishok Federation