Demand to stop harassment of war heroes in scrutiny of FF list

Muktijoddha Oikya Mancha has demanded an end to harassment of freedom fighters in the name of scrutinising the list of freedom fighters.

At a human chain held in front of the National Press Club on Tuesday morning, the freedom fighters also said the glory of freedom fighters and the liberation war are being demeaned. After so many years of independence, those carrying out such malpractices should now stop these in the interest of the country.

Freedom fighter leaders and award-winning freedom fighters from different districts addressed the gathering and complained that even financial transactions take place with the promise to put names in the list.

Muktijoddha Oikya Mancha President Ruhul Amin Majumder said, "We have taken to the field to protest against the corruption and irregularities of the Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka). We won't allow anyone to harass our war heroes in the name of scrutinisation)."

Claiming that the scrutiny was illegal, Nurul Amin, a freedom fighter from Noakhali, said it should be stopped. This activity of the Jamuka will be resisted by any means.

Munshi Golam Hossain, another freedom fighter who came from Gopalganj to take part in the rally, said, "On the golden jubilee of the independence, we want to spread the memory of the liberation war and the ideals of Bangabandhu to the younger generation. Why do we have to face such a situation now!"

After the rally, Muktijoddha Oikya Mancha announced to hold rallies in different districts of the country on 30 January.

President of Awami Muktijoddha League Mujibur Rahman was present as a special guest in this event.

On 3 December, at the 71st meeting of the Jamuka it was decided to re-verify certificates of freedom fighters who were in the Civil Gazette from 2002 to 2014.

It was said at the meeting that some names of freedom fighters were not included in the Indian list of freedom fighters or even in the Lal Muktibarta prepared by the Muktijoddha Sangsad but those names were published in the Civil Gazette as freedom fighters without the recommendation of the Jamuka. Those names will be verified.

The Jamuka determined the list of freedom fighters in 2014. Including this, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has so far published 33 gazettes for freedom fighters.

Apart from the Civil Gazette, the remaining 32 gazettes are being taken as evidence of the freedom fighters.