The government move to verify and register freedom fighters, is likely to face a setback as the guidelines are not being followed properly, the minister and officials admit.
The verification process in upazila, district and metropolitan areas began on 21 January. Out of 488 committees, the National Freedom Fighters Council has received recommendations from 341 committees with about 100,000 names. The number will increase to nearly 150,000 after recommendations of all committees are submitted.
Officials at the liberation war affairs ministry said a section of ministers and MPs has influenced the recommendations.
Officials said it is not possible to make an accurate list of freedom fighters during the tenure of present government by 2019.
In last 46 years, the list of freedom fighters changed six times.
According to the ministry, the government allocated Tk 50 million to make the new list of freedom fighters.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, liberation affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque said, “Names of 100,000 freedom fighters have been recommended. Many committees have not followed the guidelines. There are allegations of influence by MPs.”
The government has a list of 231,000 freedom fighters. There are allegations that many enlisted as freedom fighters are not genuine. Many applied to be included in the list. Under the circumstances, the government issued a gazette on 12 January for verification and to consider the new applicants. Committees at upazila, districts and metropolitan areas were formed to do the process.
The committees were not reportedly formed as per the guidelines.
According to the ministry, in many areas the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) reportedly did not follow the procedures.
Due to influence by local MPs and influentials, many names were included as freedom fighters.
Deputy leader of the house of Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in a demo official (DO) letter requested the liberation affairs minister to include her name in the committee dropping the name of the local freedom fighter.
Food minister Quamrul Islam recommended including a certain Golam Kibria Bakhtiar of Barisal on the freedom fighter list.
State minister for women and children Meher Afroz Chumki, who was elected MP from Kapasia of Gazipur, has recommended inclusion of Imtiaz Ahmed on the list.
Officials at the ministry said names of fake freedom fighters were not dropped. MPs recommended names for inclusion to their choices.
Kabirul Haque, an MP of Narail-1, alleged that the committee of Kalia upazila took Tk 200,000 from each as bribe to include those who were merely 9 or 10 years old during the liberation war of 1971.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Kabirul Haque said, “What has happened in my constituency, happened nowhere else before.
President of the committee Imdadul Haque has taken hundred thousands of taka to include people in the list.”
Source: Prothom Alo
For the last 28 years I am in USA due to job restriction about my vacation they allowed 2 wks and thats not enough time to go to Bangladesh for registration from 1988–2009 as a freedom fighter.Mentioned here that I was working in a matibillion company in World Trade Cente as an Asstt. Manager very responsible joband I can’t loose my job for which I was unable to attend for registration.It is not your fault I am sorry Its my fault. Mentioned here that in Bangladesh I use to work in BTMC as an Accounts Officer for 17 years and I was a Vice President of BTMC Officer Association .I have join in BTMC as staff and I have submit my FF cerficate for regularise my position as an Officer.Its a long process the Management has sent all my information and documents to my Upazilla for muktizudha jachai bachai through govt. special branch it takes 4 years and BTMC regularised my service from 10-10-72 as an Assistant Accountant stating that the question ofextending benefits to him as Freedom Fighter was under process and carefulexamination of the authority.The Authorityhas now finally decided that in recognition of his participation in the war of liberation in 1971 as per order of tha Secretary BTMC dated 6-12-1979.You can collect all information from BTMC office in Kawran bazar Dhaka
Anyway as per your online application request accordingly I apply online appeared for Jachai Bachai in Homna upazilla in 1917, February I beleave.And result came out of the list of 6 my name was in the top signed by the Jachai Bachai committee including Hon.Railway minister Mr Mojibul haq.However list of 5000 ff name suppose to be declared on 26th March,1918 and budget of 4 crores ready unfotunately it is also postponed due to lake of necessary papers.What kind paper you need if you please let me know.Now I am almost disabled anyway I went to Bangladesh for this pupose now I am retired .I have no energy and enough money to come every time to BD. All papers are ready.IF you need.
As a freedom fighter I am giving you a clue to make 90% FF list followed by DAINK BANGLA 15 FALGUN SATURDAY 1393 AND FEBRUARY, 28 1987 published every upazilla on it and my name is in Homna upazilla serial number 252.
Rrst 10% those who help us giving information/shelter we have trained some they are now regular FF
Lastly I saw a lot they not freedom fightersin my area and I know few in dhaka city also.
Thank you for your time.
Homna upazilla in 2017 please read and supposed to be declared on March 26th 2018 please read.Apologize for the unintentional mistake.
Please refer to my appeal as above.
Please refer to my appeal as above