War heroines Rejiya, Ganabala, Shefaly, Mosleha live in abject poverty
Recognition and honour sought for war heroines
Our correspondent, Lalmonirhat
Rejiya Begum was a new bride of only 15 during the Liberation War. The war was spreading everywhere in the country. Pakistani forces were killing innocent Bangalees and setting their houses on fire. Rejiya was cleaning the yard of her father-in-laws house in Dalalpara village of Gokunda union under Sadar upazila when suddenly four or five Pakistani soldiers grabbed her and brought her to their camp near the Teesta railway bridge. They detained her in the camp for a few days and brutally tortured her. After some days, she managed to flee from the camp and returned to her fathers house. Her husband Nabej Ali refused to take her back, as she had been gangraped by the soldiers.
Rejiya, now 60, breaks into tears while narrating her horrifying story. She is now working as a domestic help to survive. She is childless, as nobody wanted to marry her after the incident. She lives in her nephews house at Samutari village of Gokunda union.
Ganabala, 72, a resident of Baraitari village near the Teesta River under Gokunda union of Sadar upazila, is also working as a domestic help for a Muslim family. Raped by Pakistani soldiers, she was declared a satibhrashta (unchaste) and not allowed to work in her own community. She weeps as she talks about how she was detained for several days at the camp near the Teesta railway bridge. Pakistani soldiers killed her husband in front of her and threw him in the Teesta river. Her husband, Shoshi Mohon Barmon, was a village doctor who was helping the Bangladeshi freedom fighters. She breaks into tears while pointing out the place where she was violated by Pakistani soldiers 46 years ago.
She is reluctant to tell her story after 46 years because she feels it is useless to do so. She has not received any help from the government so far.
Mahamudul Haque, the assistant commander of the Muktijoddha Sangshod in Lalmonirhat district, said that they have sent the details of four war heroines to the relevant ministry to obtain recognition for them.
Makhon Lal, a cultural and religious activist in the Teesta Bajar area, said two lakh Bangladeshi women were violated during the struggle for independence. Many of them are already dead, but those who are still alive should get the same respect and honour as other freedom fighters, he said.
Shefaly Rani, 60, a war heroine from Shahebpara Railway Colony, is now living in hardship with her three children. When asked about her ordeal during the war, she refused to talk to the media. She claims that she has told her heartrending story many times but to no avail.
Mejba Uddin Ahammed, commander of the Muktijoddha Sangshod unit of Lalmonirhat district, told The Independent that they have sent to the ministry the detailed stories of four birangonas (brave women)Ganobala, Rejiya Begum, Shefali Rani, and Mosleha Begumafter hearing about their tribulations from their own statements and from other people in the area.
We have recommended their names to the ministry so that they may get recognition and honour as war heroines, he added.
