51 years after the war, Surabala still fighting for recognition, survival

Even after 51 years of the Liberation War, Surabala Singh (83) has not been recognised as a freedom fighter.

As a consequence, she barely has any penny to afford a proper meal, since the government doesn't provide any stipends for her to survive without struggle.

Surabala, hailing from Thakurbakhai village in Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh spends her days in hunger; on days she's lucky, she has one meal in an entire day.

Her long tale of misfortune started from 1971. During the war, she was picked up from her work place and raped by the Pakistan army. They left her in an unconscious state, scarred for life.

But that wasn't the end of her misery. A few days later, the Pakistan forces and their local collaborators, picked her husband up from their house and killed him at Phulpur's Sarchapur Ghat.

The body was found afloat in Kongsho River, recalled Surabala.

The following day Surabala along with her three daughters and two child sons fled to India for refuge. During their stay at the camp, she was struck with another tragedy as both her sons died of Cholera. A grief-stricken Surabala later returned with her three daughters after independence.

A feeble Surabala said she only receives a meagre elderly allowance. "I have been suffering from respiratory problems and different complications due to old age. I have no means to manage three meals a day, let alone medicine," she said.

One of her daughters Suniti Rani (63), lives with Surabala and works as day labourer earning a sum that's insufficient to manage a five-member family.

"We're poor and its heartbreaking that we cannot support her needs," said Anita Rani, Surabala's granddaughter.

"The government should take an initiative to enlist her (Surabala) as a freedom fighter," demanded Sheuly Rani Khatriya, Surabala's second daughter.

Surabala said she wants recognition as a freedom fighter in her lifetime and wants to meet the prime minister to narrate her life's ordeal.

On different occasions, local administration supported Surabala to build a small house and with some money, but they were temporary solutions to her crisis, said ATM Robiul Karim, a local journalist and central member of War Crimes Fact Finding Committee.

The committee has also worked in Phulpur and Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh, covering two books -- "Judhhaporad, Gonohotya, O Bicharer Onneshan", and "Juddho O Nari" -- centring war victims including Surabala," said Karim, also a researcher.

Karim said seven war victims of Phulpur and Dhobaura, like Surabala are getting a monthly allowance of Tk 3,000 from Naripakhha, a non-government organisation.

Contacted, Abdul Baten Sarker, former deputy commander of Phulpur Upazila Muktijuddha Commander, said Surabala deserves recognition as freedom fighter in "War Heroine Category".

Baten said they would take steps in this regard soon.