75 mass grave sites of Liberation War martyrs lying uncared for

NAOGAON, Apr 09: Some 75 mass grave sites of the Liberation War martyrs have been lying uncared for in different upazilas of the district.

Ekushey Parishad Naogaon, a socio-cultural organisation of the district, identified the mass graves in recent years. They also collected the histories of the mass killings during the Liberation War and recorded them as documents.

These mass graves are situated in Dhamkuri, Mohanpur, Par Boalia, Khagrakuri, Balihar, Arji Naogaon, Hat Naogaon, Khas Naogaon and Par Naogaon under Sadar upazila; Mirapur, Boithakhali, Paikra, Ahsanganj, Baullapara, Goalbari and Taratia under Atrai; Kabulpur and Kittali under Manda; Bhabicha under Niamatpur; Shiahahat under Porsha; Nirmail under Patnitala; Farsipara and Pagla Dewan under Dhamoirhat; Goeshpur, Dangisara, Chakboali and Kolahat under Badalgachi; and Mahishbathan under Mahadevpur upazila.

Allegation has raised that the family members of liberation war martyrs and local freedom fighters demanded steps for protection and proper maintenance of the mass graves to the authorities concerned several times, but they did not pay heed to the matter.

Sources said aiming to spread the spirit of great liberation war among the young generation Ekushey council started collecting and recording war history in early 2010.

Local people and freedom fighters of the district helped the investigation team with necessary information regarding the liberation war occurrences.

President of Ekushay Parishad DM Abdul Bari said during the Liberation War, the first mass killing took place in Dhamkuri village under Nogaon Sadar on April 22 in 1971.

A total of 10 people including the then police inspector Shamsul Uddin Sarkar embraced martyrdom that day.

Besides, on April 25, the Pakistani military forces killed 67 innocent people and dumped them to a nearest pond in Par Naogaon Mandalpara area.

These places are now covered with brushwood and garbage.

There are many other mass graves in the district but unfortunately all those remained in uncared condition, Mr Bari said, calling for taking necessary measures for preservation of those graves for the future generation.

Former commander of district Muktijoddha Sangsad Harun-ar-Rashid said Ekushey Parishad did a very good job by identifying the mass graves and recording the war history of the district in documents.

There should be effective measures for protecting the mass grave sites so that the young generation can avail the scopes of getting necessary information about the martyrs properly, he added.

Freedom fighters of the district urged the government to take appropriate measures in this regard as soon as possible.

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