FFs urged to unite against anti-liberation forces in power

Leaders of Awami League (AL) and several pro-AL organisations yesterday called for bringing in unity among the country's freedom fighters in order to brave the anti-liberation force now in state power.

They were speaking at the opening session of a four-day programme titled Muktijoddha Mancho (freedom fighters' platform) organised by Muktijoddha Samannoi Parishad (MSP) on the occasion of the Victory Day at Muktangan in the city

Inaugurating the event, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said "freedom fighters need to join forces once again to achieve materialisation of the goals and true reflection of the spirit of liberation war in the life of the masses."

Freedom was not bestowed on Bangladesh; rather millions had to make supreme sacrifices to earn it, said Abdul Jalil. "The very spirit of the war was to translate aspirations and dreams of the millions into reality. But those are yet to come true," he added.

Reading out a declaration, MSP Presidium Member Serajul Haque said

Muktijoddha Mancho was organised with the aim to infuse unity among the political, socio-cultural and professional bodies of the country imbued with the spirit of liberation war. The programme will feature retrospection on liberation war by organisers and leaders of the freedom fighters and cultural shows.

The AL general secretary also said it was an irony that the anti-liberation forces now enjoyed the state power, defied the traditions of the liberation war, and even contrived to distort its history.

They are able to do so only by "taking advantage of the existing disunity among the freedom fighters," the veteran Awami Leaguer said.

The other speakers were MSP Chairman Abir Ahad, Secretary General Shahjahan Kabir, Babul Akhtar who was a newscaster of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Krishak League leader MA Karim and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote General Secretary Golam Kuddus.