AFM Alim Chowdhury
Encyclopedia
AFM Alim Chowdhury (1928–1971) was an eminent eye specialist. He was abducted by the Al-Badr militia (Al-Badr militia had taken part in various war crimes in Liberation war of Bangladesh
in 1971) as part of a plan to kill the renowned intellectuals of the country and was found dead on December 18, at Rayer Bazar.
in 1928. He passed metric examination from Kishoreganj High School in 1945. Then he went to Calcutta Islamia College
, where he passed the Intermediate examination in 1947. He studied in Dhaka Medical College and received an MBBS degree from there in 1955. In 1961, he received a D.O. degree from London.
Dr. Chowdhury worked at St Jame's Hospital
as a registrar from 1961 to 1963. He returned to Bangladesh in 1963 and joined Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur
as a chief ophthalmologist. In 1967, He became an associate professor at post graduate medicine and research institute in Dhaka
and joined Dhaka Medical College
as an associate Professor in 1968.
Chowdhury was active in leftist politics from his student life. He was an active participant in the 1952 Bengali language movement. In 1971, he was working as an associate professor at the Department of Ophthalmology in Sir Salimullah Medical College
. He played an active role in forming the East Pakistan Medical Association (current Bangladesh Medical Association), and was elected the general secretary of the association.
. Both of Dr. Alim Chaudhury's daughters are physicians.
Moulana Abdul Mannan
, one of the key collaborators of the Pakistan army
during the Liberation war of Bangladesh
, was directly involved in the abduction and killing of Dr. Alim Chowdhury. Dr. Chowdhury had been living in Purana Paltan
in 1971. In the mid of July, Moulana Mannan, an organizer of Al-Badr, came to Dr. Chowdhury for a shelter as he was shelterless and destitute at that time. Formar speaker A.T.M.A. Matin was neighbor of Dr. Alim. It was Mr. Matin whose request made him to rent his ground floor to Mannan
.. On December 15, some members of Al-Badr came to his house and took him away. Dr. Alim Chowdhury never returned. Moulana Mannan absconded on December 16.
On December 18, Dr. Alim Chowdhury was found dead along with other intellectuals at Rayer Bazar mass grave. Later, he was buried in Azimpur
graveyard.
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
in 1971) as part of a plan to kill the renowned intellectuals of the country and was found dead on December 18, at Rayer Bazar.
Early life and career
Alim Chowdhury was born in the village Khoyerpur in KishoreganjKishoreganj District
-Place of Interest:Kishorganj is a place of the creed of respectively Sanatana and Loukik Islam. Both Meghna and Brahmaputra river have contributed to its existence. Many traditional rituals are observed every year in Kishoreganj. Among them Kurikhai Mela is one of the most celebrated fair. It is a...
in 1928. He passed metric examination from Kishoreganj High School in 1945. Then he went to Calcutta Islamia College
Maulana Azad College
Maulana Azad College is located in central Calcutta, West Bengal, India. It is located near the junction of Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road and SN Banerjee Road, popularly called "Lotus crossing".It is a Government college and affiliated to the University of Calcutta...
, where he passed the Intermediate examination in 1947. He studied in Dhaka Medical College and received an MBBS degree from there in 1955. In 1961, he received a D.O. degree from London.
Dr. Chowdhury worked at St Jame's Hospital
St James's University Hospital, Leeds
St. James's University Hospital in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, popularly known as Jimmy's, is one of the United Kingdom's most famous hospitals...
as a registrar from 1961 to 1963. He returned to Bangladesh in 1963 and joined Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur
Mirzapur Upazila
Mirzapur is an Upazila of Tangail District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Mirzapur is located at . It has 61479 units of house hold and total area 373.89 km².-Demographics:...
as a chief ophthalmologist. In 1967, He became an associate professor at post graduate medicine and research institute in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
and joined Dhaka Medical College
Dhaka Medical College and Hospital
Dhaka Medical College and Hospital , established in 1946 during the British colonial rule, is the top medical college in Bangladesh. Situated at the heart of the city in the academic zone along with University of Dhaka and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka Medical College...
as an associate Professor in 1968.
Chowdhury was active in leftist politics from his student life. He was an active participant in the 1952 Bengali language movement. In 1971, he was working as an associate professor at the Department of Ophthalmology in Sir Salimullah Medical College
Sir Salimullah Medical College
Sir Salimullah Medical College is a government medical college in Bangladesh. It is located in the old part of the capital, Dhaka. It is affiliated with the University of Dhaka. Before 1854 it was a Dutch "kuthi" which was used for business purpose....
. He played an active role in forming the East Pakistan Medical Association (current Bangladesh Medical Association), and was elected the general secretary of the association.
Creative Activities
Alim Chowdhury had preference in photography and creative writing. He edited two monthly magazines named and ( in his student life. He worked as a sub editor for two newspapers named and .Personal life
He left behind his wife and two daughters. His wife, Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury is a national award winning educationist and former principal of Udayan SchoolUdayan High School, Bangladesh
Udayan Higher secondary School Dhaka, formerly known as Udayan Bidyalaya, a reputed school of Bangladesh, established in 1955 by the University of Dhaka within its campus as a kindergarten named Dhaka English Preparatory School. The university first allotted a small piece of land and two sheds...
. Both of Dr. Alim Chaudhury's daughters are physicians.
Abduction and death
As part of a planned assault on Bengali intellectuals, Dr. Chowdhury was abducted by Jamaat's militia wing Al-Badr militants on December 15, 1971. His dead body was found along with the bodies of many other intellectuals at Rayerbazar mass grave, Dhaka.Moulana Abdul Mannan
Moulana Abdul Mannan
Moulana Abdul Mannan was the Ex Minister for Religious Affairs in East Pakistan Shanti Committee. He was one of the top leaders of Peace and Welfare Council which was set up to help the Pakistani Army in 1971...
, one of the key collaborators of the Pakistan army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
during the Liberation war of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
, was directly involved in the abduction and killing of Dr. Alim Chowdhury. Dr. Chowdhury had been living in Purana Paltan
Paltan
Paltan is a Thana of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is often said to be the center of Dhaka, dividing "Old Dhaka" and "New Dhaka". Paltan was made a thana in 2005 by then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.-PALTAN:...
in 1971. In the mid of July, Moulana Mannan, an organizer of Al-Badr, came to Dr. Chowdhury for a shelter as he was shelterless and destitute at that time. Formar speaker A.T.M.A. Matin was neighbor of Dr. Alim. It was Mr. Matin whose request made him to rent his ground floor to Mannan
Moulana Abdul Mannan
Moulana Abdul Mannan was the Ex Minister for Religious Affairs in East Pakistan Shanti Committee. He was one of the top leaders of Peace and Welfare Council which was set up to help the Pakistani Army in 1971...
.. On December 15, some members of Al-Badr came to his house and took him away. Dr. Alim Chowdhury never returned. Moulana Mannan absconded on December 16.
On December 18, Dr. Alim Chowdhury was found dead along with other intellectuals at Rayer Bazar mass grave. Later, he was buried in Azimpur
Azimpur, Dhaka
Azimpur is an old neighbourhood in the old part of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. The region is named after Shahzada Azam, son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Other accounts attribute the name to Azim-us-Shaan, the Nayeb-e-Nazim of Dhaka during the early 18th century.After the 1947 partition, many...
graveyard.