15 more Biranganas recognised as freedom fighters

The government has recognised 15 more Biranganas (war heroines) as freedom fighters for their significant role during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs today issued a gazette notification in this regard. With the latest inclusion, a total of 185 Biranganas received the status of freedom fighters.

The fifteen Birangana are: Rupali Rani Singha, Momena, Khatina Begum and Shaleha Begum  of Rangpur, Morjina Begum, Rehena Khatun and Vanu Bibi  of Dhaka, Momtaj Begum and Prova Rani Ghosh of Khulna, Momtaj Begum of Barisal, Rangmala Khatun, Raneya Begum, Samsunahar, Shakina Begum and Shefali Begum of Mymensingh.

Biranganas, who fought during the country’s Liberation War, will get the status of the freedom fighters and would enjoy the same benefits that freedom fighters are enjoying.

Once recognised, every Birangana will now receive a monthly allowance of Tk 8,000 and special quotas in the government jobs and many more benefits for their children and grandchildren.

The process of recognising the Biranganas as freedom fighters started following a High Court orderg that came on January 27, 2014.

At least 1.62 lakh women were raped, and another 1.31 lakh Hindu women went missing during the Liberation War, according to the War Crimes Facts and Findings Committee led by Dr M Hassan.

The Hindu women were believed to have been raped and killed in the Pakistan army camps, according the facts finding committee.