Pabna, Dec 15 (V7N) – Journalists expressed shock and anger on Martyred Intellectuals Day after finding the Liberation War memorial “Durjoy Pabna” locked when they arrived to pay tribute to the nation’s fallen intellectuals.

On Sunday morning at around 7:30 am, members of the Pabna Press Club marched to the memorial with wreaths to mark the day. Upon reaching the site, they discovered that both the outer and inner gates of the memorial were locked with four padlocks, preventing them from entering the premises.

District administration staff members Wazed Mia and orderly Sujan Mia rushed to the scene after noticing the journalists waiting outside. As journalists attempted to place wreaths outside the gate, another employee arrived later with a bundle of keys and opened the locks.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the employee said he was unaware that Martyred Intellectuals Day was being observed and claimed he had received no instruction from the district administration to keep the memorial open. He added that he opened the gates once the issue was brought to his attention.

Wazed Ali, a staff member of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, said the matter was deeply linked to national consciousness and values. He stated that while he personally rushed to the site, he did not know why relevant staff had not been informed or why the memorial had not been kept open.

Pabna Press Club General Secretary Zahurul Islam said he never imagined witnessing such a situation on a day of national mourning. He recalled that intellectuals were systematically abducted and killed during the Liberation War to cripple the nation, which led to the observance of Martyred Intellectuals Day. He described the incident as an extreme example of irresponsibility and negligence by the district administration.

Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar also expressed strong protest, questioning whether the district administration was unaware of the significance of the day or had deliberately failed to facilitate its observance. He termed the incident unacceptable and deeply disturbing.

Abdul Matin Khan, General Secretary of Pabna Annada Gobinda Public Library, said he went to Durjoy Pabna at around 8:00 am to pay tribute but found the inner gate locked. He said he could not understand the reason behind it and felt deeply disappointed.

Several individuals involved in preserving the memory of the Liberation War said that since 2024, the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, independence, and democratic movements has been increasingly neglected. They warned that national consciousness surrounding these historic struggles is at risk of fading. On Sunday, only a handful of organizations, including the Pabna Press Club, Annada Gobinda Public Library, Sammilito Sangskritik Oikya Jot, and Open University representatives, were able to place wreaths at the memorial.

When contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Pabna, Md. Jahangir Alam, said he had nothing to comment on the matter and advised reporters to speak directly with the Deputy Commissioner.

Attempts by journalists to contact Pabna Deputy Commissioner Shahid Mostafa by phone and WhatsApp for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.

END/MSR/SMA/