A tale written in blood

 Local freedom fighters demanded construction of a memorial at Ketna Beel killing ground in Agailjhara upazila.

“It was one of the biggest killing grounds of Pakistani army. Around five hundred people were killed here on May 15 in1971. But we are yet to build any memorial on the site,” said Freedom fighter Nuru Mia, a member of a martyr family.

On this day during the Liberation War, the occupation forces with the help of their local collaborators killed around 500 people in Ketnar Beel area in Agailjhara upazila, said the members of martyrs' families.

Equipped with heavy arms, they started carrying out the deadly attack from 11:00am and it continued till sunset.

People, mostly belonging to Hindu community, from Gournadi, Basail, Batajore, Torky and Chandsi area of Agailjhara and Gournadi upazilas took shelter in Ketnar Beel area.

The water body was covered with Aush paddy. People tried to take shelter there, but the Pakistani troops with the help of local rajakars carried out massacre on innocent people in the area, said Elias Talukder, chairman of Rajihar Union Parishad.

Bodies of the victims lay scattered as the Pakistani army and their collaborators let loose a reign of terror through killings, arson and looting in the area, said Amulyo Patra of Rangta village, who lost three family members in the genocide.

“We remember this mass killing and we have sent a letter to the authorities concerned to build a memorial on the site,” said Deputy Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman.