Gallamari memorial opens at Krishnanagar of Khulna
Liberation War memorial at Gallamari in Khulna, dedicated to some 1400 people martyred at the hands of the Pakistan occupation forces in 1971, was inaugurated yesterday. Photo: PID
Built after long 40 years of independence, Gallamari memorial at Krishnagar under Batiaghata upazila of Khulna district was inaugurated yesterday. Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators used Gallamari as killing ground during the War of Independence in 1971 and killed at least 14,00 people here. Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque inaugurated the memorial as chief guest. Divisional Commissioner Md Mashiur Rahman and Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University Prof Md Saifuddin Shah were the special guests at the inaugural function with the deputy commissioner, Khulna, in the chair. Anwarul Iqbal, adviser to the caretaker government, laid the foundation of the memorial on December 30 in 2008 and construction work began on November 20 in 2009 under the supervision of Khulna Zila Parisahd. The work was expected to be completed by May 2010. The government allocated Tk two crore to begin construction work of the memorial while Khulna Zila Parishad spent Tk 16 lakh from its own fund for the purpose. In his inaugural speech, the mayor said the zila parishad wrote an official letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) on March 29 this year, asking for allocation of Tk 8 crore more to complete the remaining works of the memorial. The remaining works to be done are construction of boundary wall, an approach road, waiting room and a separate room for security guards, a flower garden and a museum. According to Executive Officer AN Ahmad Ali of Khulna Zila Parishad, the LGRD ministry forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Liberation Affairs on April 6. But the file relating to the letter has not yet been sent to the finance ministry, he said.
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