**Scene 1: Midnight in Agartala – Tripura, India (December 1967)**
Rain lashed the safe house as Commander Moazzem Hossain unfolded a map on a wooden table. Two Indian intelligence officers—PN Ojha from RAW and Colonel Menon—leaned in.
*"The arms depot at Chittagong is lightly guarded,"* Moazzem whispered, tracing a route. *"But we need assurances. If we strike, will Delhi back us?"*
Ojha exchanged a glance with Menon. *"Prime Minister Gandhi offers conditional support. But this must appear *Bengali-led*. No Indian boots on ground."*
Sergeant Zahurul Haq, disguised as a fisherman, bristled. *"Our people are ready. But without heavy weapons, how do we counter the 14th Division in Dhaka?"*
Menon slid a dossier across the table. *"Smuggle these via Meghna River barges. Rifles, grenades, wireless sets. But remember—"* his finger jabbed the map, *"—if you raid the armory prematurely, we abandon you."*
Lightning flashed, illuminating the conspirators' faces: naval stewards, student radicals, and Fazlul Haq, a disgruntled CSP officer. As they dispersed, Ojha muttered to Menon: *"Mujib's the spark. Let his people light the fuse."*
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**Scene 2: The Arrest – Dhanmondi Residence #32, Dhaka (January 18, 1968)**
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sipped tea in his library when boots pounded the driveway. His daughter Hasina peered through curtains. *"Abba, soldiers—!"*
Major Bashir kicked open the door, pistol drawn. *"Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, you're charged under Section 121-A: conspiring to secede East Pakistan with Indian aid."*
Mujib didn't flinch. *"Lies. My Six Points demand autonomy, not secession."*
*"Tell that to your friends in Agartala."* Bashir tossed photos on the table—grainy images of Moazzem meeting Ojha. *"We have depositions. Even your navy steward confessed."*
As handcuffs clicked, Mujib turned to his weeping wife, Fazilatunnesa: *"Feed the party workers. Keep the *hartal* alive."* Outside, students chanted *"*Joy Bangla!*" A tear gas canister arced through the gate.
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**Scene 3: The Tribunal – Dhaka Cantonment (June 1968)**
The makeshift courtroom reeked of sweat and betrayal. Justice S.A. Rahman, a West Pakistani, adjusted his wig as Prosecutor Manzur Quader addressed the tribunal:
*"Accused Number One conspired to fragment Pakistan. We present 227 witnesses, including four *approvers* from his inner circle!"*
Defense lawyer Thomas Williams, a British QC, rose calmly. *"Where is your evidence beyond coerced testimonies? Show us bank records, wiretaps, anything *real*!"*
Sheikh Mujib, shackled at the wrists, laughed bitterly. *"You want proof? Look at East Pakistan's starving millions! *That* is why they follow me!"*
In the gallery, Tajuddin Ahmad scribbled notes for the underground press. A young student, Tofael Ahmed, passed him a leaflet: *"General strike tomorrow. Burn Ayub's effigies."*
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**Scene 4: The Prison Break That Wasn't – Cantonment Jail (February 15, 1969)**
Sergeant Zahurul Haq whispered through the cell bars to fellow accused Steward Mujibur Rahman: *"Moazzem's dead. 'Suicide' in Cell 7. We're next."*
Footsteps echoed. Havildar Akram, a Punjabi guard, smirked. *"Sergeant Haq? Interrogation."*
As Haq stepped into the corridor, Akram drew his pistol. *"Try to escape, traitor."*
*"I'm unarmed—"*
Two shots rang out. Haq collapsed, blood pooling on cement. Akram yelled for witnesses: *"He grabbed my gun!"*
News spread like wildfire. By dawn, Dhaka University walls screamed in red paint: *"*Zahurul's blood demands vengeance!*"
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**Scene 5: The Uprising – Dhaka Streets (February 16-21, 1969)**
Moulana Bhasani, firebrand leader of the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad, roared to a million-strong crowd at Paltan Maidan:
*"They kill our soldiers for wanting dignity! Now *we* kill their tyranny!"*
Students surged toward the cantonment. Stones flew at armored cars. A police van overturned, erupting in flames. Tofael Ahmed scaled the State Guest House gate where Justice Rahman hid. *"Run back to Punjab! Tell Ayub—Bengal is *fire*!"*
Inside, Rahman cowered as windows shattered. He called Ayub's military secretary: *"Sir, withdraw the case or Dhaka burns!"*
Meanwhile, Tajuddin directed rebels from a safe house: *"Cut railway lines. Paralyze the ports. Let West Pakistan choke!"*
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**Scene 6: The Deal – President Ayub's Broadcast (February 22, 1969)**
Static crackled from radios across East Pakistan as Ayub's weary voice echoed:
*"...*In the interest of national unity, the Agartala Conspiracy Case is withdrawn. All accused are free."*
In his cell, Mujib slowly removed his prison uniform. Jailor Rahman handed him a *sherwani*. *"They've surrendered, *Bangabandhu*."*
Mujib's eyes hardened. *"*Bangabandhu*?"*
*"The students named you. 'Friend of Bengal.'"*
Outside, crowds parted like the Red Sea. A girl thrust a garland at Mujib. *"Lead us now!"*
He knelt, touching the soil. *"By blood, we bought this day. Remember Zahurul. Remember every martyr."*
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**Scene 7: The Crown of Thorns – Race Course Maidan (February 23, 1969)**
A sea of *lungis* and *gamchas* roared as Mujib took the stage. Bhasani embraced him, whispering: *"The palace shakes. Ayub will fall within weeks."*
Tofael Ahmed thrust a microphone forward. *"*Bangabandhu*! Give us your command!"*
Mujib's voice, hoarse but electric, rolled over the masses:
*"They jailed us for dreaming of justice. But today, *you* are the judges! Hear my oath: No more begging for rights. We *take* them! Six Points or *swadhin* Bangladesh!"*
A chant erupted, shaking the city: *"*Tomar naam, amar naam—Bangladesh, Bangladesh!*" (Your name, my name—Bangladesh!)
In the shadows, Tajuddin watched Indian agent Ojha slip away. *"Your turn, Delhi,"* he muttered. *"Now pay your debts."*
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**Scene 8: The Unseen Knot – Tajuddin's Safe House (Later That Night)**
Tajuddin unrolled a map of India's Northeast. *"Bhutto courts China. We need Indian armor when war comes."*
Captain Shawkat Ali, freshly released from jail, slammed his fist. *"After Agartala, you still trust Delhi?"*
*"Trust? No."* Tajuddin's pen circled Tripura. *"But Mujib's arrest proved Pakistan won't negotiate. Next time, we *fight*."* He handed Shawkat a coded letter. *"Take this to RAW in Agartala. Tell them... we accept their missiles."*
Shawkat burned the note after reading. *"History will call us traitors."*
*"History,"* Tajuddin said softly, *"is written by those who survive."*
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