East Pakistan Central Peace Committee (Bengali: পূর্ব পা কি স্তা ন কে ন্দ্রী য় শা ন্তি কমি টি; Urdu: ‫مشرقی‬

‫ کمیٹی امن مرکزی پاکستان‬,(also known as the Nagorik Shanti Committee (Citizen's Peace

Committee), or more commonly Peace Committee or Shanti Committee, was one of several
committees

formed in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) in 1971 by the Pakistan Army to aid its efforts in

crushing the rebellion for Bangladesh independence. Nurul Amin, as a leader of Pakistan Democratic

Party, led the formation of the Shanti Committee to thwart the Mukti Bahini who fought for the

independence of Bangladesh.[1][2][3][4]

Background

History

Abolition

Former members

See also

References

On 25 March 1971, the liberation war began. On 4 April 1971, twelve pro-Pakistan leaders, including

Nurul Amin, Ghulam Azam and Khwaja Khairuddin, met General Tikka Khan of the Pakistan Army and

assured him of co-operation in opposing the Bangladesh rebellion.[5] After subsequent meetings,
they

announced the formation of the Citizen Peace Committee, with 140 members.

[6][7][8] The first recruits

included 96 Jamaat-e-Islami members, who started training in an Ansar camp at Khanjahan Ali Road,

Khulna.

[9][10]

The Shanti Committee is also alleged to have recruited Razakars.

[11][12]

The leaders of the East Pakistan Central Peace Committee called on citizens of Pakistan to defend
Pakistan

from "Indian aggression", as India was supporting the Bangladesh liberation movement. The Peace

Committee organised a rally from Baitul Mukarram to Chawkbazar Mosque on 13 April. The rally was
to

end with a meeting near New Market. At the end of the rally, participants began rioting in Azimpur,

Shantinagar and Shankhari Bazar areas. They set fire to the houses of known pro-liberation people
and
killed some.

[13]

The Peace Committee spread throughout East Pakistan, reaching even rural villages. Compared to
the

indiscriminate killing of Pakistan army the Peace committee were more specific and guided by lists
they

made of opponents.

[13] The Peace committee members were feared by the population of East Pakistan.

Peace committee members were killed during Bangladesh Liberation War.

[14]