Remembrance: May 23—A Tragic, Bloody Day in Rangpur’s Liberation History

“On the way from Lichu Bagan to Nisbetganj, Shailen Dutta, tied behind a jeep, was torn apart and merged with the dust of the road…”

May 23, 1971. That Sunday night remains a horrific memory in the history of Rangpur. On this day, the Pakistani occupation forces, who claimed to be the protectors of religion, tore off the mask of humanity and revealed their true barbarism. A brutal massacre took place in the heart of Rangpur city—Lichu Bagan, Gomastapara, Dewanbari Road, and the Nisbetganj area—every memory of which still sends shivers down the spine.

Shailen Dutta, an electric mechanic, had just sat down for dinner. Suddenly, verbal abuse echoed from outside his door:

“Open the door!”

As soon as the door opened, local Razakars entered along with Pakistani soldiers. They dragged away Shailen Dutta, veteran lawyer Advocate Purnachandra Sarkar, and prominent businessman Shankar Banik.

While Purnachandra Sarkar and Shankar Banik were forced into an army jeep, a far more terrifying death was reserved for Shailen Dutta. His two legs were tied tightly to the back of the military jeep. The vehicle then sped off, dragging a living human being behind it. The entire neighborhood was silenced by his agonizing screams. Eventually, the screams stopped. The next day, only his blood-stained lungi (sarong) was found.

On that day, more than fifty innocent Bengalis were murdered at the Nisbetganj execution grounds. Among the martyrs were Rangpur’s respected intellectual Advocate Bijoy Chandra Maitra (affectionately known as Pakhida), Advocate Purnachandra Sarkar, Shankar Banik, and many other unnamed individuals.

Pakhida was the soul of Rangpur’s cultural and intellectual circles. Well-wishers had urged him to leave the country for safety, but he replied:

“Leaving the motherland during its days of distress is a great sin and an injustice.”

He paid the price for that profound love for his motherland with his life. On the midnight of May 25, he was picked up and martyred at Nisbetganj.

Today, we remember with deep respect all the martyrs of the Liberation War, including those of the Nisbetganj massacre, who sacrificed their lives to leave us an independent flag and a sovereign map. The debt of their blood can never be repaid. Their sacrifice will remain eternal in the history of the Bengali nation.

Humble respect to all the brave martyrs. On this somber day of May 23, we offer our deep love and grateful remembrance.

Key Victims of the May 23rd Massacre