The pogrom initiated by Pakistanis began on March 25, 1971, with Operation Searchlight, marking the onset of widespread genocide. 

Bangabandhu proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, and the country entered into a protracted War of Liberation, known as the Muktijuddho. Throughout the nine months of this war, the Pakistani army and their collaborators committed genocidal offenses on a daily and hourly basis.

During this time, countless people were forced to flee their homes and businesses to save their lives, properties, and dignity. Many ended up in refugee camps in India or became internally displaced, living with relatives in remote villages. Tragically, many were robbed, tortured, and tormented by Pakistani collaborators as they sought safety. Some were killed, while others died from hunger and exhaustion.

Chuknagar, a remote village bazar in Dumuria, Khulna district, became a crucial transit point for refugees heading to India. Located near the Indian border on the banks of the Bhodra River, it offered an escape route for people from southwestern Bangladesh (Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Barishal, and Faridpur districts) who arrived by boat, on foot, and in bullock carts. After resting and eating in Chuknagar, they continued their journey. On the night of May 19, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 men, women, and children took refuge in schools, temples, mosques, and villagers' homes in and around Chuknagar. Many spent the night in paddy fields and open spaces, preparing a simple meal before resuming their journey.

By 10 am on May 20, three truckloads of Pakistani soldiers, accompanied by Bihari and Bengali collaborators, arrived at Chuknagar bazar. Armed with light machine guns and automatic rifles, they began firing in all directions at the refugees. The first victim, a local farmer named Chikan Ali Morol, was killed when he tried to protest. The soldiers continued their killing spree unimpeded, targeting anyone in their path. The carnage lasted for about five hours, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 refugees killed.

The massacre left bodies scattered across paddy fields, village yards, schools, mosques, temples, and the Bhodra River. Survivors had no chance to escape, as soldiers chased and shot them. Many boatloads of refugees were also attacked, and those who tried to swim to safety were killed by snipers. The water of the Bhodra River turned red with blood, and corpses floated in the river.

After the massacre, local people came out to help, but there was little they could do as almost everyone had been killed. Over the next few days, the locals buried some bodies in mass graves while others were dumped in the river. The Chuknagar refugee trail was mainly followed by the poorer sections of southwestern Bangladesh, whose relatives either died or could not return to Chuknagar after the war.

Slowly, this tragic massacre faded into oblivion, remembered only by a few patriotic Bangladeshis led by Prof. Shafiqul Islam of a local college. They tried to keep the memory alive and draw attention to the largest mass killing in the shortest time in human history. Their efforts eventually led to some recognition, but the world has largely ignored the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide, which is the biggest Genocide after the Holocaust and other Genocides during WW2. 

The atrocities committed by the Pakistani forces are documented in various sources, including newspapers, the Blood Telegrams, Senator Kennedy's report, Oxfam's "Testimony of Sixty," and the International Union of Jurists' inquiry. 

However, the world has yet to officially recognise the genocide, contradicting the global pledge of "Never Again" to genocides. 

Recognising and punishing the genocide is crucial to preventing future atrocities and ensuring justice for the victims.

While remembering the victims of the Chuknagar massacre, we urge the Bangladesh Government to be more proactive in seeking international recognition of the genocide. The Foreign Minister recently mentioned plans to create a special cell to coordinate these efforts. The sooner this cell starts working, the better. We have ample evidence to prove the genocide, and organisations of genocide scholars worldwide, including IAGS, Lemkin Institute, Genocide Watch, and ICSC, have recognised it and called for international recognition.

The involvement of Bangladesh's intelligentsia, civil society, diaspora, progressive political, and student parties is essential for achieving international recognition. The responsibility lies with all of us, especially our government.

The writer is a researcher and traveler.

After the arrest of a woman in a case in Bhairab of Kishoreganj, an investigation will be conducted into the death in RAB custody, said Commander Arafat Islam, Director of Law and Media Wing of RAB.

He said RAB will go through legal process. Besides, the actual cause of death will be known through medical examination.

Commander Arafat said this in response to a question from journalists at a press conference held at RAB's media center in the capital's Karwan Bazar on Saturday (May 18) evening.

When asked about the complaint of detention of the woman who died in RAB custody from the police station, he said that a case was filed under the Women and Child Repression Prevention Act in Mymensingh on May 13. As a result, two accused in the case were arrested. After arrest, she was taken to a camp to be brought under the law. If a person feels ill there, they are taken to the local health complex. There the doctor declared her dead.

It is known that about a year and a half ago, Azizul Islam's son Taijul Islam got married to Hasim Uddin's daughter Rekha of Bheramari village in Bhairab. After the marriage, there was a family dispute between them. Rekha died on April 26. It is alleged that he died due to torture by his in-laws. On May 2, Rekha's mother filed a case against Azizul Islam along with her son and wife in Mymensingh's Women and Child Repression Prevention Special Tribunal. After hearing the case, the judge directed Sub- Inspector Nazmul Islam of Nandail Police Station to register the case and investigate. Then the case was registered in Nandaile police station on May 13.

Bhairab RAB camp members went to Nandaile police station around 9 pm on Thursday and summoned Suraiya Khatun, Azizul Islam and Taijul Islam through the police. After that Azizul Islam was released and the other two were arrested and brought to Bhairav camp late at night. RAB members took Suraiya dead to Bhairab Upazila Health Complex on Friday morning.

A female inmate of Kashimpur Women's Central Jail in Gazipur died while undergoing treatment. The deceased is Amina Begum (40), daughter of Rumel Hossain of Matukpur village of Domar police station in Nilphamari. Her Jail No. 394/24.

She died on Saturday (May 18) around 2.30 pm while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to prison sources, Amina Begum, a prisoner in the women's prison, suddenly had chest pain. Later she was immediately sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital in Gazipur from the jail. When she was taken to the hospital, the doctor on duty declared her dead around 2.30 pm after the examination.

Jail Superintendent Shahjahan Mia of Kashimpur Women's Central Jail said that Amina was sent to the hospital when she developed chest pain. After being taken to the hospital, doctors declared her dead. Her family has been informed. The body will be handed over to the family as per jail rules

Seven people died due to lightning in three districts. Four people died in Narsingdi, two in Tangail and one in Gazipur due to rain and lightning from morning to noon on Saturday (May 18). The news were sent by the district correspondents of Barta24.Com...

Narsingdi

Four people, including a mother and son, died in a separate incident of lightning in Narsingdi.

This incident took place in the Char area of Alokbali Uttarpara and Hajipur suburb of Sadar Upazila around 10 am on Saturday (April 18).

The deceased are Sharifa Begum (50), wife of Kamal Mia of Alokbali Uttarpara, her son Iqbal Hossain (12) and Qayyum Mia (22), son of Karam Ali. A person named Kamal Mia was seriously injured in this incident. All of them are residents of Alokbali Uttarpara.

Besides, a person named Moslehuddin (50) died in Chakpara of Hajipur Union of Sadar Upazila.

Gazipur

A housewife named Fatema Akhter (45) died due to lightning while she was drying paddy in Gazipur's Sreepur.

The incident took place on Saturday (May 18) around 11 am in the Galdapara area of Kawraid Union of the upazila. The deceased housewife is the wife of Md. Noor Hossain, a resident of that area.

Tangail

Two brothers were killed by lightning while cutting paddy in Tangail's Kalihati.

The incident took place on Saturday (18 May) at around 9 am in Nowabari village of Bir Bashayan Union of the upazila.

The deceased are Afzal Hossain and Amir Hossain. They are residents of Chakradharpur village of Pirganj upazila of Dinajpur district. The deceased was his cousin.