The Lakhai upazila administration and various local organizations paid deep tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War on Friday to mark 'Krishnapur Genocide Day' in Habiganj.
The day solemnly commemorates one of the darkest chapters of 1971. On September 18 of that year, Pakistani occupation forces, aided by local collaborators, ruthlessly massacred 127 innocent residents of the Hindu-majority Krishnapur village.
According to historical records, the tragedy unfolded at dawn when a contingent of 10 to 15 Pakistani soldiers from the Ashtagram camp in Kishoreganj descended upon the village. They were soon joined by 40 to 50 local Razakars. The invading forces rounded up the villagers, lining up more than 130 men in front of the local Kamlamai High School before mercilessly gunning them down. A confirmed 127 people died in the brushfire.
The atrocities extended beyond the mass execution. The occupation forces and their collaborators subjected local women to horrific abuse, looted valuables and set homes ablaze. In a desperate bid to survive the rampage, hundreds of terrified villagers spent hours hiding in nearby ponds.
Decades later the tragedy remains a poignant reminder of the heavy price paid for Bangladesh’s independence. Local authorities and citizens continue to gather every September 18 to honor the memory and ultimate sacrifice of those who perished.
