Many historical sites in Barisal, which bear witness to the tumultuous times of the Liberation War in 1971, are in shambles and in urgent need of restoration and preservation, freedom fighters and concerned locals said on the occasion of the “Liberation Day” of Barisal today.
“We demand immediate preservation of these sites and memorials connected to the Liberation War,” said Mokhlesur Rahman, commander of Barisal Sadar Upazila Muktijoddha Parishad.
One of the most important sites related to the war is the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) complex on the bank of Kirtankhola River.
When the Pakistan Army took over Barisal town on April 25, 1971, they made the Wapda complex their regional headquarters and cantonment.
During the war, the occupation army and its local collaborators ran their operation in the surrounding areas from the Wapda complex. It was also the detention and torture centre and the killing ground for the captured freedom fighters and their sympathisers. After killing the freedom fighters, the occupiers dumped their bodies in the Kirtankhola River.
On the night of December 7, as the Pakistan Army realised they were losing control over Barisal, they along with some of the collaborators tried to flee via the river, but their vessels were gunned down by the Indian Air Force.
After the freedom fighters took back control of Barisal on December 8 afternoon, the rest of the Pakistan Army collaborators took shelter inside the Wapda complex. Later on December 18, they surrendered peacefully to Nurul Islam Manjur, the then district Awami League secretary and organiser of liberation movement in Barisal, and Mahfuz Alam Beg, sub-sector commander.
A site of such a historical significance, it is on the verge of total destruction, said Enayet Hossain Chowdhury, former joint convener of the Barisal District Muktijoddha Parishad.
Many locals and freedom fighters also claimed that negligence of the authorities concerned was a major reason behind the current state of the Wapda complex and other memorial sites.
Sources said the city corporation is supposed to look after these sites and build memorials where appropriate, but they hardly took any action in this regard.
Only three memorials – an unnamed memorial adjacent to the Wapda complex, Shahid Smriti Pholok – containing the names of the martyrs – near the deputy commissioner’s office, and Bijoy Bihongo (the bird of victory) at Amtala crossing in the city were constructed in 2004, 2006 and 2009, respectively.
Officials at Barisal City Corporation told the Dhaka Tribune that lack of funds hindered the process of building new and maintaining the existing memorials in Barisal city.
“The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs allocates the funds required for tasks like this. When we get the money, we will be able to do something in this regard,” Nikhil Chandra Das, CEO of Barisal City Corporation, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Liberation Day to be celebrated
Barisal District Muktijoddha Sangsad is organising a rally today from Barisal Government Girls School to mark the 43rd anniversary of Barisal’s liberation.
A discussion and cultural function will also be held at Muktijoddha Sangshad auditorium in the city.
Besides, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi’s Barisal unit will arrange a discussion and cultural event at the Bijoy Bihongo in Amtala in the afternoon.
