Laurels for war heroes

Two city corporations of Dhaka yesterday honoured 1,000 freedom fighters for their great contribution during the 1971 Liberation War.

They handed over crests to freedom fighters living in Dhaka at a reunion programme in the capital's Bangabandhu National Stadium.

“We do not want anything, just honour,” said a freedom fighter, Amir Hossain Mollah, at the programme.

Freedom fighters will be immortalised if the authorities take steps to rename roads and establishments after them, he said.

Thanking the organisers for arranging the gathering, KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam, chairman of Sector Commanders' Forum, said he was ecstatic to talk in front of his fellow freedom fighters after a long time.

“December 13 is the day, when I along with my troops reached near Demra defeating Pakistani forces in Akhawra. We fought with Pakistani forces for three consecutive days and 24 Front Force Regiment of Pakistan surrendered to me on December 16, 1971,” he said.

Addressing the programme as the chief guest, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon said, “We feel proud when we honour the freedom fighters as we would not have got an independent country without their contribution during the Liberation War."

He said they have already made 1,500-square-foot flats tax-free for the freedom fighters while many more facilities are in the pipeline. Responding to the demand of freedom fighters to rename different roads and establishments of Dhaka after them, the mayor said they would consider the proposal if the war heroes submit it formally. Khokon said militancy and communalism are spreading fast; therefore, freedom fighters would have to take a lead in fighting the menace. Over a thousand freedom fighters including sector commanders and sub-sector commanders joined the event. DNCC  panel mayor Osman Gani chaired the event.