The 16 heroes of Feni who died in the Great War of Liberation have not yet received the status of martyrs. On November 4, 1971, 19 people of the village were martyred by firing and bayonets of the Pakistani forces in Malipathar village of Parashuram Upazila of the district. Nurul Amin, the old teacher of that village, witnessed the brutality of that day. He said, the sun has just peeked out in the winter morning. The people of Malipathar village of Parashuram have just woken up in the foggy morning. Suddenly the sound of screaming all around. There is a sound of crying. The sound came slowly. The roar of rifles began. Pakistani forces have fallen in the village. The whole village is surrounded. Screaming, crying all around. 19 people of the village were martyred by firing and bayonet of Pakistani forces.
Teacher Nurul Amin also said that on the night before November 4, 1971, a group of Mukti Bahini attacked the Pakistani army camp located in the neighboring area and caused heavy damage. To avenge this incident, a group of Pakistani forces attacked the common people of Malipathar village in the morning. Torture, massacre and arson continued throughout the day. On that day, the Pakistani forces burnt the houses of 40 families of Malipathar village. 19 people were shot dead. He said that on that day his grandfather Munsi Syeder Rahman, father Habib Ullah, Uncle Mofizur Rahman and five members of their family died at the hands of Pakistani forces.
Arif Pathan, a resident of the village, said that the 19 people killed that night were somehow buried in panic without shrouds. But unfortunately, even though there is a directive from the government to preserve this slaughterhouse or mass grave and erect a monument, it has not been implemented due to various reasons. He alleged that the slaughterhouse has not been preserved even today. A ghostly environment has been created here due to not clearing the bushes regularly.
The families of the victims have complained that the administration has completed its duties by putting up a plaque. After repeated applications, only three people were given the status of martyrs, but the remaining 16 people were not even given the status of martyrs.
Chairman of Parshuram Upazila Parishad Kamal Majumdar said, some development work has been done in Malipathar slaughterhouse. Defense walls and plaques have been installed. Besides, some other initiatives have been undertaken.
JH
