Introduction:.
Liberation War Museum is dedicated to all freedom loving people of the world and victims of mindless atrocities and destruction committed in the name of religion and sovereignty. This museum is proof that determination can overcome all odds for freedom and liberty.
The Liberation War Museum has been set up to collect and disseminates information regarding our Liberation War. In the process of this work we involve ourselves in trying to find the truth regarding our liberation struggle and seek justice for those millions who perished in the most inhuman way. The truth is important not only for the present generation but also for the future so that they can grow up knowing how bloody and gory the birth of the nation was. This will give them impetuous to be patriotic and have determination to be better leaders of the society and the nation.
It is believed the Museum can be a very important tool for their learning process and can give them a sense of pride and encouragement to feel proud of their country. The Liberation War Museum wants the future generation to know the rich heritage of their Motherland and draw from the spirit of the Liberation War the inspiration and pride to build a better future and make a difference in the nation building.
BACKGROUND: On 27 July 1999 a killing field from the 1971 Genocide committed by the Pakistani Forces was discovered. The Liberation War Museum has taken the initiative for an extensive excavation of the area to find the remains of the victims of the Genocide. So far 5 sculls and over 500 small and big bones have been discovered. A team of Doctors under the leadership of Dr. M.A.Hasan has been assigned to make initial identification and do necessary examinations. All scientific and medical facilities will be utilized to find the evidences and clues leading to the identity of individuals and the cause and time of their death. Initial examinations have given us enough evidence to claim they were the victims of the 1971 Genocide committed by the Pakistan Forces. We have also set up a team of legal experts to proceed to the International Court to take this evidence to prove the Genocide and make those responsible for the crime punished.
We have reasons to believe there are quite a few killing fields and spots within a 1000-yard of this location. We are investigating the spots to verify the location and facts. Once we have authentic information we plan to excavate those spots to recovers the remains of the Martyrs and other evidences of the Genocide committed by Pakistan Army.
We are requesting for international observers to visit these spots to verify for themselves the facts proving the atrocities committed by the Pakistani Forces and their agents in 1971. So far there was a 'Denial of Genocide' by the International Forum drummed up by the Pakistan Government. We appeal to all conscientious people of the World to find the truth and help us do it.
In a response to the Liberation War Museum the Bangladesh Army began assisting with the excavation work from August 12 1999. With their sophisticated instruments and discipline the work is progressing in a systematic way. They have been able to detect and recover a few bullets with marking of Pakistan Ordinance Factory (dated 1964,66 and 67) and other metallic remnants of weapons. The contingent of the Bangladesh Army has been working with great determination and zeal and the Citizens have warmly welcomed their assistance in this worthy cause.
SECOND EXCAVATION & EXHUMING OF 1971 MARTYRS AT JALLADKHANA BY LIBERATION WAR MUSEUM:
Muslim Bazar is now known to almost everyone. In the suburb of Dhaka at the edge of Mirpur is located this market. For last 28 years this was just another isolated place but covering up some of the most gruesome and gory part of our Liberation History. After 28 years the victims of Pakistani barbarism couldn't bear it any longer that their horror stories were not being heard or told.
After Muslim Bazar excavation and exhuming of the remains of 1971 Pakistan Army victims the Liberation War Museum began the work of cataloging and pre-investigation on different sites were the unfortunate victims of 1971 were dumped. The Bangladesh Army came forth to assist us in the excavation. The 42 Bengal under 46 Independent Infantry Brigade was assigned to this duty. The LWM decided to pick ten sites for further excavation and exhuming of the remains in the proper scientific and technical method as suggested by Dr. Willam Hugland (International Physicians for Human Rights). The process being expensive and time consuming the LWM hopes to accomplish this goal over a period of time without setting any deadlines.
LWM began the pre-investigation of several sites where it was claimed the Pakistan Army and their agents committed untold atrocities and dumped the bodies. At JalladKhanna in Mirpur the investigators found family members of the Martyrs and one survivor from the Slaughterhouse. They were cross-examined and the story seem to have relevance to the fact that Bengalles where taken to this abandoned pump house slaughtered and the bodies dumped in the underground tanks located beneath the pump house. It was claimed almost over 100 bodies were dumped in the two underground tanks.
The Jalladkhan (SlaughterHouse) located also in Mirpur (Section 10 Block D) was thus selected for immediate excavation and exhuming of remains of the 1971 Martyrs. The Bangladesh Army's 46 Brigade 7 Field Regiment Artillery and 43 Engineer Company assisted the LWM in this Herculean work. The excavation began on Monday November 15 1999. The exhuming ended on the 23rd. with the recovery of 70 skulls and 5392 various human bones . Most of the skulls revealed sign of being severed from the rest of the body with a sharp weapon and some bore marks of being struck by heavy weapon and one had a bullet hole shot from a close range. Other bones also showed signs of being hit by a heavy weapon.
It is most important that the truth should be revealed and what happened in 1971 needs to be known not to look backward but for the nation to move forward. As we enter the new millennium it should be the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh. Like a phoenix we can be born out of the ashes and fly to higher ground. But we must clear the ashes. Let us join together and clear the debris that has been thrown over the bodies of hundreds and thousands of Bengalees in 1971. Only then we shall know ourselves.