Piles of applications delay selection of FFs
Of the 90pc fake applicants, some had collected
certificates from unknown
sources, but could not
substantiate their claims
Murad Ahmed, Barisal
A large number of old men thronged the freedom-fighter selection centres all over Barisal on Friday. They had certificates to prove that they were freedom fighters. However, many of them were rejected after a little cross-checking revealed that they were lying.
Sources in the Muktijoddha Sangsad in Barisal district and the city command said there were 5,456 listed freedom fighters in Barisal district. They get Tk 10,000 per month as allowance. Of them, 110 have got houses. There are four war heroines (biranganas). Of them, only one gets the monthly allowance and the other three are in the process of getting it.
Enayet Hosen Chowdury, the organising commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad Barisal, said, We have found 5,456 freedom fighters in the last 47 years. But this year, 6,244 have applied to be enlisted. Of them, 450 are from the city, 450 from the Sadar, 500 are from Uzirpur, 450 are from Banaripara, 600 from Agoiljhara, 650 from Gournadi, 450 from Muladi, 94 from Hizla, 600 from Mehendiganj, 850 from Bakarganj, and the highest, 1,150, are from Babuganj.
The ministry concerned has formed 10 teams to select the real freedom fighters from these applicants. We dont know how so many extra people cropped up. The heavy crowds of applicants gave the selection board a hard time, he added.
The selection team has interviewed 176 applicants in the last week and selected only 16. Of them, 14 are from Hizla and two from Babuganj. Of the 90 per cent fake applicants, some had collected certificates from unknown sources, but could not substantiate their claims.
At the Babuganj centre, the reporter found that most of the old applicants had come with the hope of earning the allowance. Aleya Begum, mother of nine children, came from Mohishadi village with two certificates, claiming that her late husband, Moslem Ali Hawladar, was a freedom fighter. He died in 2013. Aleya said it was her right to get the allowance on behalf of her husband.
The reporter found another applicant, Md Kanchan Mridha, arguing with the selection committee. But he failed to prove himself as a freedom fighter. I have certificates. Why are the committee members questioning me one by one? he fumed.
The reporter found another old man, Abdul Hakim Sardar, crying outside the centre. Hakim said he had nothing to eat. I came here armed with certificates but the committee asked me questions. I have no answer but only these certificates, he wept. The reporter found hundreds like him, who had certificates but no story to tell.
AKM Shahidul Haque, the commander of Dehergati unit FF command, said had the government stipulated the condition that the applicants who were proved to be false candidates would be punished, the number of applicants would come down immediately. Most of these old men are just trying their luck, he claimed.
Shek Kutub Uddin Ahmed, the commander of Barisal Muktijoddha command, who was the chief of the interview board, said it is true that a large number of poor villagers had joined the freedom struggle in 1971. But their names were not put down in the freedom fighters list. On the other hand, only a few from the upper classes had joined the fight. But a large number of them have been already enlisted as freedom fighters.
He said that seeing the freedom fighters enjoy huge allowances and facilities, everyone is now trying his or her luck. He said all the applicants have certificates but are lying to the interview board. Many of them are naming witnesses who are dead. Such a massive number of applications was delaying the selection work.
