One after another, they were killed and dumped into the pond

During the Liberation War, there was a camp of the Pakistan Army in the Lokoshed area of Binodpur in Rajbari. The Pakistani soldiers captured countless people from different parts of the town, killed them, and dumped their bodies into the Lokoshed pond. At that time, several trains operated in Rajbari. When passenger trains stopped at Rajbari Railway Station, Pakistani soldiers and their collaborators would pick up suspected passengers from the trains and bring them to the camp. After brutal torture, the Pakistani soldiers would dump them into the Lokoshed pond. Although the Liberation War is the greatest achievement of the Bengali nation, the Rajbari Lokoshed killing ground remains neglected and abandoned. Due to a lack of proper maintenance, the structures are deteriorating day by day. Throughout the year, these places remain uncared for and neglected. Before Victory Day and other national events, these installations are cleaned.

In memory of the genocide of civilians and freedom fighters, the foundation stone of the killing ground was laid in 1998. After various stages of work, the construction of the killing ground was completed in 2004.

Recently, during a visit to the Binodpur killing ground in the district town, it was seen that weeds have grown inside the memorial built at the site. Quilts, blankets, and other clothes are being dried over the railings. Besides, cows and goats roam freely. Although 11 solar streetlights were installed at the memorial, six of them are now damaged. Even though these lights have remained broken for a long time, there has been no initiative to replace them. When asked, freedom fighter Abu Taleb said that from December 14, tributes and various programs will be organized at the killing ground. “We know that the killing ground remains uncared for throughout the year. In December it is cleaned. I hope that the killing ground and all other monuments of the Liberation War will be cleaned and painted soon. However, it would be better if the area remained clean throughout the year.”

Jubair Sheikh, an honors second-year student of Rajbari Government College, said that in Rajbari, the Lokoshed killing ground, the Erenda Dattabari memorial, the Maliate memorial, and the Pansha Upazila Liberation War memorial exist in honor of the freedom fighters. These remain neglected throughout the year. Many items from the structures have been stolen. “This is unfortunate for us,” he said.

Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Sultana Akter said that cleaning work at the Rajbari Lokoshed killing ground will be carried out soon. She added that tributes will be paid there with due respect on Martyred Intellectuals Day and Victory Day.