Padmapukur genocide reminds of crime against humanity

RANGPUR, Nov 29 (BSS): The heinous genocide at Jharuarbeel- Padmapukur Baddhyabhumi in Badarganj upazila in Rangpur still reminds one of the worst atrocities and crimes committed against humanity by the occupation forces. The Pakistani occupation forces with their local collaborators massacred over 1,500 innocent Bangalees and set fire on houses, looted properties raped and tortured women and children there on April 17 in 1971. Thousands of Pakistani occupation forces with their collaborators including Biharis, razakars, albadars, and alshams led by war criminals Bachchu Khan and Kamruzzaman came by a train to Badarganj station from Parbotipur in the morning. They immediately gheraoed over 30 villages in the area including Bakshiganj, Boiragipara, Buzruk, Hajipur, Ghatabeel, Ramkrishnapur, Bansbari, Baniapara, Msandoba, Taxerhat, Konapara, Balapara, Bittipara, Sarderpara and many others. The continued setting fire to the houses in these villages under Ramnathpur and Bishnupur unions and looted properties, raped, violated and tortured hundreds of the daughters including housewives, women, girls, adolescents and children. Later, they caught over 1,500 innocent Bangalees of all ages and irrespective of their caste, creed and religion from these villages, brought them to the nearby Padmapukur and Jharuarbeel in the afternoon, and opened brass fire killing them on the spot. Talking to BSS, elderly people and freedom fighters (FFs) said the whole area turned into a mass slaughtering ground turning the grasses and waters there into deep red when the nature became silent observing the indescribable atrocities. Valiant FF Mojibar Rahman Master and JSD leader FF Abdus Sattar said the dead bodies were lying all around and the occupation forces and their collaborators had been charging bayonets to the injured Bangalees to ensure their deaths. District Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad FF Mosaddek Hossain Bablu said names of 400 of the martyrs of the Baddhyabhumi have so far been collected and included in the book `History of Rangpur District' published by Rangpur district administration in 2000. Prof Anowarul Islam, Prof Messer Uddin and CPB leader Comrade Altaf Hossain narrated one of the biggest genocides and crimes against humanity at Jharuarbeel- Padmapukur committed against humanity on that day. They demanded immediate trial of the war criminals and asked for preparing lists of all razakars, albadars, alshams and non- Bengali Biharis who were involved with genocides and crimes against humanity in 1971 to inform true history to the younger generations. The local people demanded immediate construction of a permanent Smritisoudha there without any further delay to pay due respect to the martyrs of Jharuarbeel- Padmapukur Baddhyabhumi. Narrating the genocide, Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry and local lawmaker Anisul Islam Mandal MP said steps have been taken for construction of a permanent Smritisoudha at Baddhyabhumi.