Rajshahi, Dec 15 (V7N) – The brutal memory of the 1971 Gaganbariya massacre in Rajshahi’s Durgapur upazila resurfaced on Sunday as the nation observed Martyred Intellectuals Day, honoring those killed during one of the darkest chapters of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

On the night of October 22, 1971, with the support of the then Pakistani army, members of the Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the Peace Committee rounded up freedom fighters and civilians from several villages in Durgapur. They were taken to Gaganbariya village, where they were tied up overnight. The following Friday evening, the captives were lined up in a field and shot dead, while many others were buried alive under the soil.

To honor the martyrs and preserve the memory of the genocide, a killing ground was later constructed beside the mass grave at the site. Investigating officers from the International Crimes Tribunal visited the mass grave and killing ground on March 6, 2011, documenting evidence of the massacre and the burial of people alive. However, justice for the victims has yet to be realized.

On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, the Durgapur Upazila Administration and local freedom fighters organized a wreath-laying ceremony and special prayers at the historic mass grave and killing ground in Gaganbariya to pay tribute to the martyrs.

During a visit to the site on Saturday afternoon, preparations were seen underway, with the area being cleaned and readied for the commemorative program. Ainul Haque, a lecturer at Daokandi Government College, said that according to accounts from local freedom fighters, at least 185 freedom fighters and civilians from Gaganbariya village were brutally killed by Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and Peace Committee members through shooting and burial alive.

Dr. Prafulla Chandra Sarkar, Vice-Chancellor of Prime University and nephew of martyr freedom fighter Jadunath Sarkar of Jugisho village, said that after independence the massacre site remained neglected for years due to a lack of government patronage. Following repeated appeals to various authorities, including the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, a killing ground was finally constructed beside the mass grave in 2002 to honor the memory of the martyrs.

Freedom fighter Anisur Rahman, commander of the Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Command Council, described Gaganbariya as a historically significant site where a horrific genocide was carried out during the Liberation War.

Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mashtura Amina said that as part of Martyred Intellectuals Day observances, wreaths will be placed and prayers offered at the Gaganbariya mass grave and killing ground at 10:00 am. She added that all necessary preparations for the program have been completed.

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