Nearly four years after its construction, a Liberation War museum complex built for freedom fighters in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, remains locked, with weeds and bushes covering the premises because of prolonged disuse and lack of maintenance.
Residents said the area around the government-funded building had become a grazing ground for livestock. At the same time, freedom fighters said the facility remained unused despite the public money spent on it.
Relevant sources indicate that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs constructed the complex in 2023 at a cost of around Tk 3 crore. Located beside the model mosque at Barabakia Bazar in Barabakia union, the facility was intended to preserve the history and memories of the Liberation War and provide space for freedom fighters to organise activities.
Although the complex was expected to host meetings, organisational activities, discussions and programmes related to the Liberation War, it has remained locked since construction was completed.
A visit to the site found a padlock hanging from the main gate, with weeds and bushes surrounding the building. The lack of regular cleaning and maintenance has left the premises untidy. Some residents alleged that equipment and other materials inside the complex had deteriorated, while some items had reportedly gone missing.
Freedom fighters said they regularly needed venues for meetings, organisational activities and other programmes at the upazila level. Despite the construction of a dedicated complex, they still had to hold events at community centers, restaurants, or rented venues, incurring additional costs and undermining the facility’s intended purpose.
Pekua Upazila Freedom Fighters’ Commander Ramiz Uddin expressed frustration, saying the complex was built to preserve the memories and legacy of the Liberation War and facilitate freedom fighters’ activities.
“We were delighted when the complex was built for us. But it hasn’t been opened for a single day since construction was completed. How can we benefit from it if it remains locked day after day?” he said.
He said applications had been submitted to the upazila administration several times to hand over the complex to freedom fighters, but no effective steps had been taken.
“Many items have already gone missing, while the remaining ones are deteriorating. The building should be opened and made usable for freedom fighters without further delay,” he added.
Freedom fighter Nur Mohammad said they regularly needed a venue for meetings, gatherings and organisational activities, but could not use the facility built to preserve the memories of the Liberation War. He urged the authorities to address the issue seriously.
Iqbal Hossain, the general secretary of Pekua upazila BNP, said the complex has remained locked since its construction because of a lack of appropriate administrative action.
He urged authorities to hand over the facility to freedom fighters promptly, raising the issue at a law-and-order meeting. However, he added that no effective action had yet been taken to open the facility or complete the handover process.
Residents have also urged the authorities to activate the building, arguing that a government facility should not remain unused for years after construction. They urged the authorities to clarify why the complex had not been handed over, identify who is responsible for its maintenance, and undertake necessary repairs.
Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam said the completed complex was initially handed over to the relevant official in the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).
However, he said the handover to freedom fighters could not be completed because several upazila administration officials were transferred.
“The handover process was later initiated through the assistant commissioner (land). Necessary steps will now be taken to hand over the complex to freedom fighters through the Pekua upazila freedom fighters’ commander,” he added.
Freedom fighters have called for the complex to be opened promptly, with repairs, cleaning, and regular maintenance ensured so it can serve its intended purpose of preserving Liberation War history and supporting their organisational activities.
By Delwar Hossain, Pekua
Photo: Delwar Hossain
