<i>Horrific Dinajpur mine blast tragedy back to memory</i>

5 January 2009, 18:00 PM

Kongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur

The monument at the graveyard of freedom fighters who fell victim to January 5, 1972 tragedy in Dinajpur.Photo: STAR

The mine blast tragedy of January 6 in 1972 at Maharaza Girizanath High School ground here is back to memory of freedom fighters. On this day in 1972, at least 800 freedom fighters of sectors 6 and 7 met tragic end of their lives at the transit camp set up there following explosion of several mines, according to sources in Freedom Fighters' Welfare Association. Only 134 martyred freedom fighters could be identified after the tragic incident and rest others remained unidentified, they said. About 3,000 freedom fighters were at the transit camp after their victory over the occupation Pakistan army. Like every year, this year also 'Sixth January Mine Blast Tragedy Memorial Committee' will observe the day by placing wreathe at the monument built in memory of the martyred freedom fighters at the school ground where names of only 134 identified freedom fighters were engraved, committee sources said. This will be followed by a cultural function. However, it is a tragedy that after 37 years of independence of Bangladesh, no initiative was undertaken to know exact number of dead freedom fighters here. While talking to The Daily Star, a few survivors and witnesses of the incident lamented saying the memory of the freedom fighters is fading way gradually due to lack of proper initiative by the successive governments. Capt Sharier was in charge of the transit camp, they said. Under his leadership, the freedom fighters were clearing land mines planted by Pakistani forces after collecting those from various destinations. They were also piling up mines, bombs and ammunition at the camp. On January 6, 1972, several freedom fighters were unloading those at the camp from two trucks brought from Ghoraghat upazila. At one stage, a landmine exploded after falling down the ground causing instantaneous death of at least 200 freedom fighters on the spot. Soon after the blast, other mines of the camp went off one after another creating dark cloud of smoke over the sky. As a result, at least 800 freedom fighters were killed. The explosion vibrated at least 100 kilometer area and the flame was seen from 50 kilometre away, said Md George Ahmed, a freedom fighter. The next day, at least 86 freedom fighters were buried at Chehelgazi after paying state honour. Later, more 27 martyred freedom fighters were buried. Family members took away many bodies of their near and dear ones for burial, witnesses said. Md Shafiqul Haque Chhutu, mayor of Dinajpur municipality who took part in the rescue operation said they collected at least 2 metric tons of human limbs from the spot which were buried later.