Barguna Liberation War Museum Looted: The Building Still Lies Empty

The Barguna Liberation War Museum preserved over three hundred photographs, books, souvenirs, a broken wooden rifle used by freedom fighters, clothing, cooking utensils, and many other historical artifacts. The museum also housed parts of brick and stone from the historic Mughal-era Shahi Mosque in Barguna and the historic Masjidbaria Mosque in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali.

Following an attack on August 5, 2024, the museum suffered extensive vandalism and looting. Currently, the empty rooms remain locked. Appeals to return the looted materials have been unsuccessful.

History of the Museum
The initiative began in 1995. Several photographs based on the Liberation War and local history were collected and displayed at various events in Barguna. This program was eventually included in national events organized by the District Administration. Around 2013, the activities started in a ground-floor room of the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, operating as the Liberation War Gallery.

The gallery officially began its institutional journey as the Liberation War Gallery in 2018. It was converted into the Liberation War Museum on November 30, 2019. Since then, students and visitors have regularly toured the museum on various national days.

Vast Collection Lost
Chittaranjan Sheel, a journalist, cultural worker, and trustee of the museum, said the initiative began with a photo exhibition organized by local journalists and cultural workers around 1985 or ’86. Various social organizations, local administration, and political parties (Jatiya Party, BNP, and Awami League) supported the program when they were in power. Eventually, the initiative became part of the national day programs.

Sheel stated that the museum preserved various local archaeological artifacts, books, and ancient and current documents, in addition to Liberation War materials. The work was ongoing. Documents detailing the activities of various political parties—including the Muslim League, NAP, Awami League, Communist Party, Jamaat, Krishak Sramik Party, and Nezam-e-Islami—during the Liberation War were also preserved. It contained rare historical photographs, including images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sector Commander and former President Ziaur Rahman.

Archaeological artifacts included bricks and photographs of the Betagi Shahi Mosque and Masjidbaria Mosque, a relic from the historical temple built by Parbati Ranjan Mukhopadhyay in Betagi Kaunia, old radios, and televisions. The collection also featured the bones of a 48-foot whale found in Jayalbhanga, Taltali upazila, in 1990, and thousands of metal and paper currencies from various countries.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Attack
Local eyewitnesses described the museum attack. They stated that the attackers shattered every glass-covered table and display case in the room. They looted many artifacts. Numerous books and documents were torn into pieces and scattered outside. The microphone used in the museum was also destroyed. People took away the remaining items however they could.

Three days later, a team from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement visited the site. They were horrified by the museum’s condition and took steps toward its preservation. However, according to the latest reports, the looted materials have not been returned.

Calls for Restoration and Official Silence
Yusuf Mridha, Convener of the Barguna District Freedom Fighter Sangsad, emphasized the museum’s importance for the new generation. “We urge the District Administration to repair the museum and recover the stolen documents,” he said.

When contacted for comment, District Commissioner Taslima Akhter could not be reached on her mobile phone. No statement was received from her, even after sending a message via WhatsApp.