During the nine-month Liberation War of 1971, Pakistani military—and razakars who collaborated with them—killed thousands of innocent people and freedom fighters, then buried them in mass graves.
Local social and cultural organization Ekushey Parishad Naogaon has taken the initiative to compile the history of the 1971 genocide—from different parts of Naogaon—and publish it in a book.
Until now, through personal research, the Ekushey Parishad members have managed to collect 67 accounts of genocide. Titled "Ganyahatta 1971: Naogaon" (Genocide 1971: Naogaon), the book will be unveiled for the first time at the National Press Club on April 19, Publicity and Publications Secretary of Ekushey Parishad Abdur Rouf Pavel said.
A challenging task
"In our war for independence, 3,000,000 martyrs gave their lives," Rouf said. "After nine months, all of Bangladesh turned into a mass grave. The Pakistani military and their companions the razakars—Al-Badr, Al-Shams—killed whenever and wherever they found anyone."
The task of finding the names and the stories behind the martyrs' deaths was difficult, Rouf said. "However, in 2010, Ekushey Parishad Naogaon employees took up this nearly impossible task. They worked for nine long years to collect as much information as possible. Now, one-by-one, these stories will be brought to the young generation."
Director Manager of the organization Abdul Bari said: "So far, we have managed to identify 67 mass graves or sites where the martyrs were killed. However, our employees have not only stopped at that.
"They have undertaken various activities to better acquaint the locals and young generation with these tales of genocide," he said. "At the date when the genocide took place, they held discussions with locals and intellectuals, and lit candles." 
Ekushey Parishad Naogaon will unveil a book titled "Ganyahatta 1971: Naogaon" (Genocide 1971: Naogaon) for the first time at the National Press Club on April 19 | Dhaka TribuneEarning independence through a nine-month war is the most glorious history of our country, Bari said. "And the mass graves scattered throughout the country are witnesses to that glorious history.
"With the aim to better identify these sites—and thus spread the knowledge of our history among everyone, especially the younger generation—we started to identify the sites of mass graves in Naogaon, and celebrate Martyrs' Day at those sites," Bari added.
General Secretary of Ekushey Parishad Naogaon and Editor of "Ganyahatta 1971: Naogaon" Mostofa Rasel said: "We had to overcome a lot of challenges to finish compiling the stories for 'Ganyahatta.' "Firstly, a lot of those who witnessed the '71 war are deceased. Those who remain alive are burdened with old age, and have forgotten a lot of details.
"Secondly, several people gave wrong information — intentionally or unintentionally," Rasel continued. "For example: in 2011, based on several newspaper reports, we went to Halimnagar in Patnitola to investigate accounts of genocide. However, a few locals said no such incident had taken place in 1971."
Rasel's team returned, and after going back there in 2011, they found Gulu Murmu, one of the victims injured during the genocide. Following Murmu's direction, they found two people who had helped dig the graves — Aminul and Saiful.
"According to the duo, at least 50 people—including 20 indigenous people—were killed during the genocide on November 30 in Halimnagar village under Nirmail union in Patnitola," Rasel said. "Although we recovered the identities of the 20 indigenous people, we failed to recover the rest of the identities, as they hailed from different places."
In this manner, 67 accounts of genocide have been collected to put in "Ganyahatta 1971: Naogaon," Raseul said.
Organizational Secretary of Ekushey Parishad Bishnu Kumar Debnath said: "Our organization started its journey in 1994—with: progressive intellectuals, professors, lawyers, politicians, doctors, government officials, student leaders and cultural activists from Naogaon—centering on the celebration of International Mother Language Day on February 21."
Initially, it was named "Ekushey Udjapon Parishad," but keeping the nature of their work in mind, it was later changed to Ekushey Parishad in 2015.
Meanwhile, Assistant General Secretary of Ekushey Parishad Monowar Hossain Liton said: "Our book will contain stories from Dhamkuri, Par-Naogaon Madhyapara, Par-Naogaon, Mohanpur, Dogachhi, Par-Boalia, Khagarkuri, Naogaon Stadiumpara, Shekhpura, Fatehpur Garerhat, Khash-Naogaon, Bolihar Chawkdebpara, Arji-Naogaon, Hat-Naogaon in Naogaon Sadar upazila; Debipur, Mahisbathan, Mahadebpur, Akhera, Siddiqpur and Chawkdaulat in Mahadebpur upazila; Kolahat, Paharpur, Dangishar, Gayeshpur, Shenpara, Labannya Prova in Badalgachhi upazila; Pakuria, Kabalpur, Deluabari-Kittali, Manoharpur in Manda upazila; Halimnagar, Madhail Amanta, Gaganpur, Durgapur (Jangalpara), Najirpurchar and Mabarkpur in Patnitola; Taratia, Mahadighi, Jalupota-Kachua, Paikara, Shingshara, Mirapur, Berhahashon, Shimulia, Bandaikhara, Baulllah, Taranagar, Goyalbari and Boithakhali in Atrai upazila; Barabaria, Ataikula, Haripur (Rani Bhabani forest) in Raninagar upazila; Kulfatpur, Pagal Dewan and Farshipara in Dhamairhat; Bhabicha and Karalipara (Sonarpara) in Niamatpur upazila; Shapahar, Kuchinda, Asharand, Kallyanpur, Aihai, Rasulpur border and Paharipukur in Shapahar upazila and Shishar in Porsha upazila."
Talking about Ekushey Parishad's initiative, the former commander of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Naogaon district unit Harul-ul-Rashid said: "This is undoubtedly a good initiative. But the work should not only be limited to identifying mass graves. Sadly, it is true that 49 years after the independence of the country, no initiatives have been taken to preserve the mass graves. District administrations should undertake this responsibility."