<i>Martyrs' graves neglected</i>

Wireless Colony area in Lalmonirhat town bears testimony to the brutal massacre of the innocent Bangalees by Pakistan occupation forces during the Liberation War but the place along with 14 other killing grounds and mass graves in different areas of the district have remained in utter neglect, thanks to the callousness of the authorities concerned regarding the memory of the martyrs. Photo: STAR

Fifteen mass graves of Liberation War martyrs in Sadar, Aditmari, Kaliganj and Hatibandha upazilas under the district, including the largest one near Lalmonirhat Railway Station of the district town, have remained neglected for long.
"Pakistan occupation army and their local collaborators brutally killed at least 620 people including women and children near Lalmonirhat Railway Station in Lalmonirhat town, said freedom fighter Abdul Hamid of Wireless Colony area in the town.
Other killing grounds and mass graves of Liberation War martyrs are at Storepara, Stadiumpara, Missionpara, Upyard Colony, Downyard Colony, Khedabag, Barobari under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, Swarnamoti Railway Bridge, Stationpara under Aditmari upazila, Dalogram, Tusbandar, Bhotmari, Kakina under Kaliganj upazila and Barokhata under Hatibandha upazila, said officials of Lalmonirhat district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad.
"On several occasions we the freedom fighters of Lalmonirhat sent project profile to the ministry concerned seeking fund for maintenance of mass graves of Liberation War martyrs in the district but we are yet to get any response,” said freedom fighter Mohir Uddin of Storepara in the town.
Abu Bakkor Siddique, commander of Lalmonbirhat Sadar upazila unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad, said, "About 350 people, including women and children, were killed by Pakistan army at Barokhata village under Hatibandha upazila in 1971 as the innocent people were going to India for shelter."
A few years ago, Lalmonirhat Zila Parisahd took an initiative to build monuments at the mass graves in honour of the Liberation War martyrs but the plan has not been implemented due to lack of response from the government high ups, he said.
Yusuf Ali, commander of Lalmonirhat district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad, urged the government to take steps to save the memories of the Liberation War martyrs fort the future generation.