The government is planning to enact the Liberation War Denial Crimes Act with provisions of punishment for denial of historically established facts, said Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque.
The minister on Sunday made the statement while attending the question and answer session of the parliament.
He said: “We are planning to enact the law, keeping the provision of punishment for denial of historically established facts and settled issues over the incidents of genocide during the 1971 Liberation War.”
In response to another query, the minister said: “According to MuktiBarta, the total number of freedom fighters in Bangladesh is 1,51,861, however according to the gazette the number of freedom fighters is around 200,000.”
Regarding the publishing of a final list of freedom fighters, he said: “A writ petition was filed with the High Court regarding the matter and further initiative will be taken once the HC delivers its order.”
However, the minister said his ministry does not have the complete list of Birnaganas, women who were raped by the Pakistan army and their local collaborators during the Liberation War. “But, a draft list has been preserved at the Liberation War Museum.”
He also said the proceedings of publishing the gazette, recognising the Biranganas as freedom fighters by finalising a list.
