Chuknagar Genocide Day observed today

The Chuknagar massacre in Khulna remains one of the most painful and brutal chapters in the history of the great Liberation War. On May 20, 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces carried out one of their most savage killing sprees in this remote area of Dumuria upazila. The Chuknagar Martyrs' Memorial still stands today as a grim witness to one of the most heinous genocides in world history.

According to historical records, official statistics state that an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 unarmed civilians were martyred by Pakistani forces in Chuknagar on this day in 1971. However, local eyewitnesses and researchers claim the actual death toll exceeded 20,000.

Pakistani soldiers indiscriminately fired machine guns at thousands of terrified civilians trying to cross the border into India to save their lives. While the majority of the victims were men, many women and children also fell victim to this brutality. Even after mothers' chests were riddled with bullets, countless people jumped into rivers in desperate attempts to save their children's lives.

After the massacre, Chuknagar and the surrounding fields, farmlands, canals and reservoirs were turned into piles of corpses. The stench of death spread through the air. Later, local residents began gathering the bodies and dumping them into rivers. Even today, when the land of Chuknagar is dug up or ploughed, bones and ornaments of those martyrs are found.

On the occasion of Chuknagar Genocide Day, the upazila administration has organised various programmes. Freedom fighters, representatives of various political and social organisations and dignitaries will pay their respects by laying wreaths at the genocide memorial. A special discussion meeting and cultural programme will also be held.