Govt okays definition of freedom fighters

After 45 years of independence, the government has finally defined as to who will be considered as freedom fighters of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

The government published a gazette notification in this regard today to make it effect immediately.

A gazette notification was published today according to the consent of President Abdul Hamid in this regards to make it effective immediately.

The government has finalised the definition on the basis of recommendations of the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JMC) to prepare an acceptable list of the freedom fighters.

According to the definition, the people who were engaged in the Liberation War in response to the call of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman between March 26 and December 16 in 1971 will be eligible as freedom fighters.

As per the definition, the people who were 13 on March 26, 1971 will be eligible to apply for the status.

The people, who crossed border and took training in different Indian camps enlisting their names will be treated as the freedom fighters, it said.

The professionals including journalists who played active role to build up people's supports abroad during the country's Liberation War will also be considered as freedom fighters.

The people, those were engaged in running the Mujibnagar government, Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra its football team members will be considered as freedom fighters.

The women who were violated and tortured by the then Pakistani occupation forces will also be treated as freedom fighters, according to the gazette.