During the Liberation War, East Pakistan Radio Station was inside Khulna University. Pakistan occupation forces set up a camp there known as Gallamari. Freedom fighters and ordinary civilians were brought to the camp and killed by them under the cover of night.
After the killings, the bodies were dumped into the Mayur River and nearby wetlands. As a result, Gallamari turned into a mass grave. After the war, five truckloads of human skeletons were recovered from the area. Later, the place was selected for the construction of a memorial to commemorate the mass killing.
In this context, the construction work of a memorial began on the killing ground in 2008, and it was inaugurated in 2011. However, the work remained incomplete as per the master plan. The boundary walls were constructed on one side, but a large portion of the site remains unprotected. As a result, the Gallamari killing ground—soaked in the blood of countless unnamed martyrs of the Liberation War—has turned into a safe shelter for criminals at night and a den of drug users. Freedom fighters, their families and local residents have vented anger as anti-social activities are also taking place there during the daytime.
Sources said that approximately Tk9 crore is needed to complete the project as per the master plan. But no funds were allocated even after 14 years. As a result, construction costs continue to rise, pushing the project into further uncertainty.
It was learnt that the Khulna District Council initiated construction of the memorial in 2008, with an estimated project cost of Tk 10 crore. The plan included a main pillar, a sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 10-foot red tiles surrounding the pillar, walkways, parking facilities, boundary walls, gates, a security shed, a restaurant, landscaped gardens, and water fountains.
So far, only the memorial structure itself and portions of the boundary wall have been completed. Some bricks have been laid along the access road, but due to the low elevation, the road becomes submerged even after light rainfall. Most of the planned works remain unfinished.
Bir Muktijoddha Md. Moniruzzaman Moni, convener of the Khulna Metropolitan unit of the Freedom Fighters’ Council, said Gallamari carries the history of Bangladesh’s independence. “To present this history to future generations, sites associated with the Liberation War must be properly preserved,” he said. He also urged the government to complete the remaining work on the memorial swiftly.
Khulna District Council Chief Executive Officer Mahbubur Rahman said that Tk 90 crore would be required to give the memorial a complete shape, based on earlier estimates. “Given the rising cost of construction materials, the amount may increase further,” he added.
He said that they have sought funds from the ministry concerned several times, but they have yet to receive responses. “Once funds are allocated, the remaining work can be completed within a short time,” he said.
Khulna Deputy Commissioner SM Jamsed Khondker said there is no lack of government commitment to preserving the memories of the Liberation War. “Alongside ongoing development activities, the government is making efforts to conserve sites associated with the Liberation War so that the true history can be passed on to future generations,” he said, adding that he is reviewing the matter. “Necessary steps will be taken in this regard,” he assured.
