Family with Bangabandhu’s letter appeal to PM to recognise 11 as martyrs

While the Kaliganj upazila commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad (BMS) claims that he has never heard of a skirmish that left 11 dead, the Kola Union 3 commander of BMS is advocating for their recognition. Armed with letters reportedly written by Bangabandhu himself, the families have appealed to the prime minister for a decision on their status. The family members claim that the 11 lost their lives in a direct confrontation with Pakistani forces on April 19, 1971 at Khoshalpur-Chapatala area of Kaligang, Jhenaidah. They also claim that members of the Pakistan army had burned down their houses. According to them, Bangabandhu had sent a letter to them after independence that acknowledged their case and consoled the family members. The family members have attached the letter with their application to the prime minister, which was attested by Kola union BMS Commander Azizur Rahman. The 11 people are: Mouresh Biswas, son of late Biswambar Biswas from Khalkola village, Kaliganj; brothers Debendranath Mol, Antosh Mol and Rajendranath Mol from the same village; three sons of late Ram Bhadra – Nilratan Mol, Nirodh Mol and Batkrishna Mol; two sons of late Amulya Mol – Hajari Lal Mol and Ajit Mol; and two sons of late Motilal Mol from Moydharpur village – Murari Mohon Mol and Sadananda Mol. None of them are on the list of martyrs of the local Muktijoddha Command Council. Helal Uddin Sarder, commander of Kaliganj BMS, is doubtful of the authenticity of the claim. He said: “A news as big as the death of 11 at the hands of Pakistani army would have been widely known in the area.” He mentioned that he does not even know that the family members applied to the prime minister for the recognition.