Little attention to mass graves
Pabna finally opens a memorial on massacres
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Mass grave in Nazipur Babur Bagan in Pabna Sadar upazila, killing spot inside Tebunia agriculture farm in Sadar upazila, a mass grave covered with bush, Bangshipara mass grave in Mazpara union of Atghoria upazila, Demra mass grave in Faridpur upazila where a martyrs' memorial was opened yesterday, memorial at Shahidnagar Dab Bagan in Bera upazila, Dhulauri mass grave in Santhia upazila, memorial at Bangshipara.Photo: STAR
Thirty-eight years after the Liberation War, most of the mass graves in Pabna district have remained neglected in absence of government initiative to preserve memory of the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in 1971. Against the backdrop of long-time demand of the local people and freedom fighters and newspaper reports on the matter, a memorial has been built there in memory of one of the worst massacres across the country during the Liberation War. State minister for home, Shamsul Haq Tuku inaugurated the memorial at Demra yesterday. Around 50 mass graves have so far been identified in the district while many others have remained unmarked. The Pakistani army with the help of their local collaborators killed over 900 people including freedom fighters in Demra union, a Hindu-dominated area in Faridpur upazila, on May 14 in 1971. They let loose a reign of terror through loot, arson, killing and rape in the area. On May 22, Pak army killed over 156 innocent people at Hadal village in Faridpur upazila. They also raped women torched houses. The barbaric army killed over 400 people at Satbaria village of Sujanagar upazila. Over 27 freedom fighters borrowed martyrdom at Dhulauri on November 27. A few years ago, villagers on their own initiative built a beam in memory of the martyrs at Dhulauri mass graveyard but there has been no initiative from the government to build a permanent memorial here. On April 19 in 1971, the occupation army set fire to the houses and killed several hundred innocent people in Shahidnagar (also known as Dab Bagan) village in Santhia upazila of Pabna. At least 50 people were martyred at Nazirpur village of Pabna Sadar upazila. Handial mass grave in Chatmohar upazila also remains abandoned although over 200 martyred people were buried there. Work on a memorial at Atghoria Bangshipara mass grave started a few years ago but it stopped later due to unknown reasons. The district administration built 'Durjoy Pabna', a Liberation War memorial in the town in 90s commemorating sacrifice of the valiant sons of the soil. Local people and freedom fighters have been demanding preservation of the mass graves in the district to keep memories of the Liberation War alive for the next generation. “During the Liberation War, a number of massacres occurred in the district. There are mass grave everywhere, of which only 40 to 50 have so far been identified,” said Md Rabiul Islam Rabi, a freedom fighter and a writer. “Proper steps should be taken to identify and preserve the mass graves," said Md Shariful Islam, secretary of Muktijodhha Bohumukhi Samabay Samity in Pabna.
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