State neglected families of 1,399 martyred freedom fighters for 20 years: Adviser

Expressing resentment over the state's negligence in taking the whereabouts of families of 1,399 gazetted martyred freedom fighters for the past 20 years, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam ordered the authorities concerned to take measures to address it immediately.

"Even after 20 years since the gazette was published, neither application has been submitted by these families, nor the government has taken any initiative to reach out to them," he said in an interview with UNB on Tuesday.

Under the 'Honorarium Distribution Order-2021,' family members of martyred, titled, and wounded FFs are provided benefits through the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters' Welfare Trust, he said.

During the BNP's last tenure, the then government published a gazette in three phases from 2003 to 2005, with 6,757 martyred FFs listed.

Of them, families of 5,358 have been receiving the honorarium after applying while 1,399 families have not applied for any benefit for the two decades, said the adviser.

Taking it seriously, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has initiated efforts to identify these families aiming at providing them their entitled benefits once identified, Farooq said, adding that a list of the FFs, including their names and addresses, has already been sent to deputy commissioners (DCs).

Questioning the government's role in identifying these families, he wanted to know, "Has the state ever tried to find out who they are? These people fought for the country; they were farmers and workers, not bureaucrats. They might not even understand what a gazette or list means."

He emphasised that many of the widows of the FFs were housewives who might not have been aware of the gazette. "Why didn't the state reach them out?" he asked.

According to the Welfare Trust, the families of the martyred FFs are entitled to a monthly allowance of Tk30,000, two festival bonuses of Tk23,000 annually, and an additional Tk2,000 as a New Year allowance, among other financial benefits.

Farooq informed that he had instructed DCs during the last DCs conference to find out these families with the help of the Welfare Trust. DCs were also directed to visit each household and submit reports within 15-20 days in this regard.

Crackdown on fake FFs once ordinance finalised

The adviser said that numerous complaints have been lodged from different districts regarding fake FFs. Once amendments to the Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council Act are finalised, the process of reorganising the Muktijoddha Council will begin.

A new ad hoc committee will be formed, which, with the help of Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council and the administration, will investigate and verify the complaints, he said.

He mentioned that freedom fighter organisations have urged the government to set a deadline – possibly March 26 for voluntary removal.

Legal action against fake freedom fighters

Warning action, the adviser said those found guilty of fraudulently obtaining freedom fighter status would face legal action. "This is a betrayal of the nation, and even those involved in making fake freedom fighters will be brought to justice through proper investigations."

Former minister accused of being a fake FF

When asked about allegations that former Liberation War Affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque was a fake freedom fighter, Farooq said that such a complaint had been filed with Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council. "We will prioritise this issue in our next meeting and discuss it."

FFs' welfare trust funds at risk

Expressing concerns over the financial management of the Welfare Trust, he said that a significant amount of funds had been deposited in financially unstable banks.