1971: Thirty-Two Villagers Massacred in Raja Chapitola

In the final days of October 1971, the tranquil village of Raja Chapitola in Muradnagar Upazila, Comilla, became the scene of a horrific massacre. Pakistani occupation forces brutally murdered 32 innocent villagers in a single day, leaving the community in terror.

The surviving villagers, gripped by fear, fled the area, leaving the bodies scattered along roads and around homes. For seven days, the corpses remained exposed, subject to scavenging by stray dogs and jackals, until local residents were finally able to collect the skeletal remains. The bones were subsequently interred in the village’s old cemetery and by the pond.

Families of the victims are now demanding that a memorial be erected in honour of the martyrs and that their relatives receive official recognition as freedom fighters.

Historical accounts indicate that Raja Chapitola was home to Abul Hashem, a former Member of Parliament and renowned educationist, who had actively organised freedom fighters during the Liberation War. Various houses in the village served as temporary camps for the Mukti Bahini. The village lay along a strategic route between Companyganj and Nabinagar, frequently traversed by Pakistani troops.

The massacre began with an attack on the house of Ahid Ullah Kerani, where 12 villagers were gunned down at the pond behind the house. Among them were seven members of the family, two workers, and three neighbours. Subsequent raids targeted the homes of Rahman Doctor, Chhattar Ali, and numerous other households, leaving over a hundred homes torched.

Eyewitness accounts detail the horror: Shahidul Islam, aged five at the time, recounted fleeing with his mother while his father, elder brother, and uncle were killed. Ramiz Uddin lost his uncle, two paternal uncles, and grandfather in the attack, while Abul Kashem, aged ten, saw his father and cousin shot by the pond.

Officials emphasise the importance of memorialisation. Khalilur Rahman, Deputy Commander of Muradnagar Upazila Mukti Bahini Association, stated that a monument in Raja Chapitola is essential, and that families of the martyrs would benefit from financial support. Upazila Executive Officer Md. Abdur Rahman added that if a mass grave is confirmed, a memorial could indeed be constructed to honour those who perished.

Key Facts:

The Raja Chapitola massacre remains a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, underscoring the urgent need to honour and support the families of the fallen.

SB