Prosecution moves to get FF Miron recognised

The Chief Prosecutor Office of the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday wrote to the Liberation War affairs ministry for taking necessary steps to give official recognition to Miron Sheikh, a freedom fighter now living on handouts.

Copies of the letter signed by Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo were also sent to the personal secretaries of ministers of law, home, finance and social welfare and chairman of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad for immediate steps, Prosecutor Tapos Kanti Baul told The Daily Star.

The move came in compliance of the directive the ICT-1 gave while delivering the verdict in the case against eight Jessore men including former Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP lawmaker Shakhawat Hossain, said prosecutor Zead Al Malum.

Miron was a witness and a victim of torture that constituted one of the five charges proved against the eight Razakars.

Miron, now 61, took part in the Liberation War, spied on Razakars and supplied information to freedom fighters. One day Razakars shot him and took him to their camp at Chingra in Jessore. They also tortured him to glean information about the freedom fighters. But Miron would not give in. At one stage, Shakhawat, commander of the Razakar camp, twisted his left leg until it broke. After independence, no-one remembered Miron. He had to beg to run his family in Jessore. The story came to the tribunal's notice on March 2 when he testified in the case.

In its August 10 verdict, the special court hoped that the prosecution would take the matter to the authorities so “Miron Sheikh can have proper recognition and grace to spend the rest of his life in honour.” “We are shocked and surprised. It is not understood why the society and the government machinery concerned have shown inaction to recognise his contributions and sacrifice,” it said. “...it is the holy desire of this tribunal that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs shall take a necessary step to include the name of freedom fighter Miron Sheikh.... in the list of freedom fighters.”