Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam has said the work of classifying “battlefield freedom fighters (FFs)” and “associate FFs” is underway to remove the names of the fake FFs from the list to ensure dignity of the genuine freedom fighters.
"So far, we have received complaints from different districts against 90,000 fake freedom fighters. Of these, 40,000 data entries have been completed. Work is underway to enter 50,000 data," he said.
Azam, who fought frontline battle during the country's 1971 Liberation War and was conferred with the gallantry award “Bir Pratik”, made the remarks while sharing his experiences of frontline fights in the war in an interview with BSS on Sunday.
He said those who fought in frontline battles against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local allies in different parts of Bangladesh from March 26 to December 16 will be regarded as the freedom fighters on the battlefield.
Besides, those who are already in the FF list including the people, who campaigned to mobilize public opinion abroad, including players of the Swadhin Bangla football team, artistes of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, journalists, doctors, nurses and medical assistants are being considered for recognition as associate freedom fighters.
The adviser said the status of farmers-workers, armed forces, police, naval commandos, Ansar and EPR, who fought frontline in the battlefields, cannot be the same as the status of those who campaigned to create public opinion.
"Therefore, the ministry has taken into consideration the issue of identifying other freedom fighters, who didn't directly fight in the battlefield during the Liberation War, as 'associate freedom fighters'," said Azam, who conducted the naval guerrilla operation 'Jackpot' in Chittagong port after midnight on August 15 as the deputy commander.
The wide circulation of news on the operation “Jackpot” on different national and foreign media encouraged the freedom fighters on the battlefield to continue fight against the Pakistani occupation forces with redoubled enthusiasm to liberate the country.
Noting that the Liberation War has been politicized while even after 54 years of independence, minor children of that day have been included in the list of freedom fighters for political considerations, Azam said the fake freedom fighters will be asked to voluntarily withdraw their names.
Some have already applied for withdrawal of their names, he said, adding that no action will be taken against those who will withdraw their names voluntarily.
The adviser, however, said letters will be sent to the "accused freedom fighters" to submit the relevant documents and given opportunity to defend themselves.
If anyone could not prove himself as the FF, punitive action will be taken against him along with scraping his FF status, he said.
Azam said the issue would be resolved soon after forming the Muktijoddha Sangsad. "It may take some time. But I hope we will be able to make a list of real freedom fighters on the battlefield," he added.
About the enthusiasm during the Liberation War, the adviser said, "The spirit of the Liberation War cannot be compared to the spirit of today. Now everyone is a beneficiary and the spirit is being used in various ways. Thus, the genuine FFs are facing image crisis. We are trying to protect their dignity".
According to the Gazette notification, he said, a total of 6,757 military, paramilitary and civilians embraced martyrdom during the Liberation War, but 5,358 families are enjoying the allowance while remaining 1,399 families are not enjoying the benefits.
"The state does not know where these martyr families are, why they are not receiving allowances. The state should go to them. They should be found out, too," the adviser said.
"I think that most of those who participated in the Liberation War were uneducated farmers and workers of the villages. They don't know how to apply to the government. deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to find the martyr families and bring them under the benefits provided by the state," he said.
The liberation war affairs ministry has taken steps to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and honour the freedom fighters going beyond the political interference, Azam said, adding, if it is implemented, the history of deprivation of half a century will end.
