Bhimnali massacre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bhimnali massacre ভীমনলী হত্যাকান্ড | |
|---|---|
| Part of Bangladesh genocide | |
  | |
| Location | Bhimnali, Barisal, Bangladesh |
| Date | 22 May 1971 (UTC+6:00) |
| Target | Bengali Hindus |
| Weapons | Firearms |
| Deaths | 15 |
| Perpetrators | Peace Committee |
The Bhimnali Massacre was a massacre of 15 Bengali Hindus in Bhimnali, Barisal by Pakistani forces. On 22 May 1971 local collaborators attacked the village of Nali in Barisal District of Bangladesh. The Bengali Hindu villagers resisted with spears and shields. However, they were soon overpowered by the collaborators, who shot dead 15 villagers.[1][2][3]
The village of Bhimnali presently falls under Sapleja Union of Mathbaria Upazila in Pirojpur District of Bangladesh. In 1971, Mathabaria police station fell under the Pirojpur sub-division of Bakerganj district. The village of Bhimnali or Nali Bhim or simply Nali is situated by the Nali canal. It is located 18 km from the Mathbaria Upazila headquarters. In 1971, it was a predominantly Bengali Hindu village. There were 80 Bengali Hindu families settled along the WAPDA embankment.
During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the communication to the village was seriously affected. It was practically cut off from the rest of the country, and so it was frequented by the freedom fighters. Many Bengali Hindus from the nearby villages took refuge in Bhimnali. On 16 May, at a public rally, Abdul Jabbar Engineer declared that the freedom fighters, Awami League workers and Hindus were the enemies of Pakistan and should be destroyed. Immediately after the rally, the crowd attacked Kalupara and Nathpara, the Hindu quarters of Tushkhali village.