Shanti Committee

Shanti Committee was a group of rural committees formed in Bangladesh in 1971 by the occupying army of Pakistan.

Naming and Inspirations

Shanti is a Bangla word meaning peace. This committee is supposed to restore peace in East Pakistan against the Mukti Bahini. This party was clearly intermingled with Zihad, the religional war or holy war but the war was actually within two parties of Muslims. It was a war for country, not religion.

Background

On the 25th march of 1971, after beginning the liberation war of Bangladesh, Pakistani military force had to have moral and social supports from Bengali supporters as well as the non-Bengali muhazirs to have a position to abolish the independence fighters of Bangladesh, the Muktibahini, Hemayet Bahini and Kaderiya Bahini. To detect the areas of independence fighters, have a social reform and to have guides as well as co-fighters, they formed the Shanti committee.

ides Taking Part

some madrasa teachers, supporters of Muslim League and Jamaat E Islam, `muhazirs’ coming from non-Bengali part of India took part in this short living force. Most of them were socially honored, powerful and most of the time, they were the lords of the society.

Works

* Having a social movement against independence fighters
* Spying against Muktibahini
* Interrogation
* Working as the guides of the regular army
* Detecting Bengali intellectuals
* Supplying food and shelter for the army
* Looting and supplying women-children to rape.

Abolition

On the 16th December 1971, Bangladesh wins against Pakistanis and they all surrendered. But all the members of Rajakar, Al-Badar, Al-Shams, Shanti Committee were forgiven and they went on with their plans.