The mass killing ground at Gowaler Ghat area of Sundarganj in Gaibandha is on the brink of extinction. Incomplete work of a memorial, lack of maintenance and erosion by the Teesta River are causing the historical place to decay gradually.
Even after 43 years of the independence, a memorial could not be built on the ground due to lack of funding. Shrubs and plants have taken over the place making it a safe haven for drug addicts and miscreants.
Freedom Fighter Layek Ali Khan Mintu said, on December 9 of 1971, a group of 150 freedom fighters, led by Commander Mahfuzur Rahman Khoka of Kurigram attacked the Sundarganj camp of Pakistan Occupation Forces. After 6 hours of fierce battle, the Pakistan army retreated. They left the camp for Rangpur.
Mintu went on to recall the horrific memory of the day they seized the camp. “When we went inside the building, we discovered a torture cell, where Pakistani army tortured Bangalees by hammering nails on their hands and feet. Some nails still had flesh on them! We also found a number of saris and undergarments of women, lying on the floor torn and tattered.”
“On the north side of the lake, which was near the camp, we saw a large number of bodies. We could not do the count since many of the bodies were swollen and unidentifiable. We cannot forget the brutal massacre done by the Pakistani force,” he continued.
Commander of the upazila Muktizoddha Sangshad, freedom fighter Imdadul Haq Bablu said the camp was set up at the CO office of Sundarganj sometime in April ‘71. “Since then till December, hundreds of men, women, girls, freedom fighters, pro-liberation people and local Awami League activists were detained, tortured and later killed. The bodies were dumped by the lake, which bears historical testimony to the atrocities. Four years ago, local administration took the initiative to build a memorial but it is still incomplete. Now the place has turned into a den for criminals.”
With much anguish and frustration, local journalist Abu Bakr Siddique said: “There were about 2400 members of Shanti Bahini in this upazila. People know very well what Salu Razakar, Maolana Aziz, Abdur Rahim and Tamij Uddin did during the liberation war. But it is unfortunate that we could do nothing to bring them under justice. Also, those who gave their lives for our freedom, we could not give them due honour.”
General Secretary of upazila Awami League Golam Mostafa Ahmed said there were three mass killing grounds in Sundarganj. “We have urged the administration to preserve those places many times. But our requests have fallen on deaf ears.”
When asked, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (acting) Rashedul Haq cited lack of funding for not completing the memorial and for the poor condition of the grounds.
