Family alleges freedom fighter not given proper guard of honour in Chattogram
They also alleged that the local member of parliament had influenced the upazila administration in this regard
The family of freedom fighter Dr Ali Ashraf has alleged that he was not given a proper guard of honour during his burial at his home in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram.
The aggrieved family held a press conference at Chattogram Press Club at 5pm on Wednesday to protest against the irregularities.
They also alleged that the local member of parliament had influenced the upazila administration in this regard.
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Dr Ashraf breathed his last at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital on July 26 due to old age complications.
His funeral and burial were done on July 27.
Ashraf's son Joynal Abedin said, "We notified the upazila administration of my father's death and the time of the funeral prayers through the upazila freedom fighter commander. The funeral was set to be held at 11am on July 27."
"The police team arrived at the funeral on time to provide my father with the guard of honour but no one from the upazila administration came. We repeatedly contacted the upazila nirbahi officer and the assistant commissioner (land), but both of them were unable to come on time," he said.
The assistant commissioner arrived after the funeral was over and wanted to hold the guard of honor then, but locals protested. Later, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Momena Akter placed wreaths and paid her respects to the deceased.
Joynal said such a role of the administration amounts to disrespect to the family of the freedom fighter.
He also alleged that the local member of parliament, Mostafizur Rahman, used the administration in this regard, and both the upazila nirbahi officer and the assistant commissioner were clearly negligent.
Demands for removal of the two upazila administration officials and the member of parliament were raised at the press conference as well.
Momena told The Business Standard the allegation that the local parliamentarian had used his power to influence the upazila administration is not true.
She also said the assistant commissioner was sent to give a proper guard of honour to the freedom fighter, but he reached there a little late.
"The guard of honour was provided after the burial."
The local parliamentarian, Mostafizur Rahman, could not be reached for comment despite several attempts.
