Freedom fighters of the city have demanded steps to save all the ‘baddha bhumis’ (Killing grounds) in the Barisal region. Such ‘killing fields’ have been lying in a neglected and undignified state throughout the past 46 years after Independence. Even though the government provided support to build monuments to mark these spots, since there were no local initiatives, the ‘baddha bhumis’ and graveyards of the martyred freedom fighters have not been properly identified and honoured by society yet. Barisal deputy commissioner (DC) Md Habibur Rahman said the government has issued instructions to identify such ‘baddha bhumis’ and build structures there. All upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) have been directed by the respective district administrations to follow the government order in this respect. The DC said, “We have already received several proposals and will gradually take up the construction of the memorial monuments.”

Enayet Hossain Chowdhury, the organising commander of Barisal Muktijoddha Sangsad district command, said, “The time has come to identify the ‘baddha bhumis’ and put up sculptures on all of them. However, there are no local initiatives at all in this respect. If the locals do not identify the mass killing spots in their respective areas, no one can file proposals. Then future generations will not be apprised of the real history of the sacrifices of the independence-loving people of Bangladesh. It is very painful for us that the sacrifices of the people are not being honoured even 46 years after independence.”

At present, only one sculpture stands in Barisal city (in the 30 Godown area). But it is a victim of neglect and apathy. Idle youths are often seen loitering near it. They do not pay even a modicum of respect to the sculpture. Also, the torture cells and killing fields near the ‘baddha bhumi’ are lying in a state of neglect.

A couple of other liberation monuments has been built following the initiatives of the locals, who collected funds after going from door to door in Baltola area of the city and Agoiljhara upazila of the district. Two monuments were constructed by private individuals at Razihar Halder Bari of Agoiljhara upazila of the district and Koloskathe village of Bakerganj upazila of the district. The 33 other ‘baddha bhumis’ are now in a derelict condition.

Sources said there are no less than 38 ‘baddha bhumis’ in nine upazilas of the district and one in each upazila of Jhalakathi and Pirojpur districts. There, troops of the Pakistani army and their associates murdered some 8,000 innocent people in 1971 at the time of Liberation.

These include the ‘baddha bhumi’ at Baltoli and Charkauwa Moslem Mia’s Bari in Barisal Sadar; four of these are the Batazor Morar Vita, the riverside ASP’s office, Goinaghata Bridge and Koshi Khana in Gournadi upazila; four others the Katira Baptist Church, Razihar Rangta Bil, Razihar Francis Halder Bari and South Sihipasha in Agoiljhara upazila; three of these are Koloskathi, Bebaz and Syampur in Bakerganj upazila; five others are Gava Norerkathi, Gava Bazer, Gava Billabari, Gava East Bermohal Baoner Hat and Gava Ramchandrapur Bermohal in Banaripara upazila; Cadet College in Babuganj upazila; five are Borakatha Darga Bari, North Borakotha Mollik Bari, Borakoyha Milan Kendra, Khatialpara and Borakotha Chandrakanta Halder Bari in Uzirpur upazila; two are Patar Char and Beltola in Muladi upazila; four are Thana Khal, Girl’s School Bridge and Khalil Mollah’s house in Mehendiganj upazila of Barisal district; two spots are the Sugandha riverbank and Manpasha Rishi Para in Nalcity upazila of Jhalakhathi district; and three others are Kuriana Khalpar, Kuriana Joideb Halder Bari and East Jolabari Khalpar in Swarupkhathi upazila of Pirojpur district. Not a single signboard stands in 33 of the ‘baddha bhumi’ areas; officially, these are unidentified even today.

Over 1,500 innocent people were killed in the Barisal Baddha Bhumi area, 1,000 in Kuriana, 200 in Morar Vita, 400 in Gournadi Koshikhana and 400 in Koloskathi by the Pakistani army. At least 12 freedom fighters were together killed at the house of Khalil Mollah in Mehendighan while they were sleeping. Here soldiers of the Pakistani army slaughtered even newborns and aged patients till 6 December 1971.