List of freedom fighters will be corrected through field-level research: Ishraque

Engineer Ishraque Hossain, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ministry, has said the government will conduct field-level research across every upazila and union to correct the list of freedom fighters.

The state minister made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Asia Post recently, discussing the achievements, activities and plans of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

Asia Post Senior Reporter Atique Hasan conducted the interview. The full interview is reproduced below:

Asia Post: What are the main problems currently faced by the freedom fighters?

Ishraque Hossain: One of the major problems currently faced by freedom fighters is the lack of adequate medical treatment facilities. We are trying to improve these facilities.

Freedom fighters have also complained that their allowances are insufficient. We have increased their monthly allowances.

We have also initiated efforts to ensure better treatment for injured freedom fighters at hospitals with which the ministry has agreements.

Asia Post: How many title-holding freedom fighters are alive now?

Ishraque Hossain: The information is certainly preserved by our ministry, but I may not be able to provide the number right now. You can obtain the figure from the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust as well.

Asia Post: There is controversy over the list of freedom fighters. There are allegations that many fake freedom fighters have been included in the list. What is your plan in this regard?

Ishraque Hossain: The main challenge for our ministry is to prepare an accurate list of freedom fighters.

Everyone knows that the previous Awami League government included a number of fake freedom fighters in the list. My position on the issue is clear. We will soon prepare a work plan and inform the media about our initiative to correct the list.

We have a target of conducting on-the-spot research in every upazila and union. A project will also be undertaken for this purpose. We are hopeful of further correcting the list.

Asia Post: It has been found that the names of Razakars were included in the list of freedom fighters, while the names of freedom fighters were included in the Razakar list. Will these lists be reinstated?

Ishraque Hossain: We are initially working on three lists. First, we have to determine who are freedom fighters and who are not.

At present, the gazettes contain the names of around 196,000 freedom fighters. Smart cards were previously distributed to them. Now these records need to be corrected. It is a mammoth task.

Secondly, we want to prepare an accurate list of martyrs. Due to the absence of such a list, the UN's process of acknowledging the 1971 genocide has yet to be completed.

Thirdly, we want to prepare a list of the war heroines of 1971. After 55 years of the Liberation War, this is a very difficult task. Most freedom fighters are no longer alive, while those who are alive are mostly in their 70s or older.

Asia Post: Many people secured jobs using fake freedom fighter certificates. What steps will you take in this regard?

Ishraque Hossain: First, we have to correct the freedom fighters' list. Then we will take steps on the other issues. There is no immediate decision on the matter, but a decision may be taken later.

Asia Post: You are the son of a freedom fighter. During the ousted Awami League regime, there were demands to extend state facilities to the grandchildren of freedom fighters. What is your view on the matter?

Ishraque Hossain: When these demands were raised, I strongly opposed them. I believe the government of killer Hasina stigmatized the freedom fighters and the Liberation War through this issue.

Asia Post: There is controversy over the history of the Liberation War. What does the current government think about the issue?

Ishraque Hossain: I think the history of the Liberation War began to be presented incorrectly just one year after the war, in 1972. The Awami League turned the Liberation War into its personal property during 1972-73.

We do not want such a version of history. I am the son of a freedom fighter and I am proud of it. I want to present the correct history. Everyone must receive the honour they deserve.

Asia Post: Several incidents of disrespect toward freedom fighters took place during the interim government. Do you have any plan to ensure their security? Sometimes it has been reported that freedom fighters who died abroad could not be brought back home because of their political identities. Do you have any plan regarding these issues?

Ishraque Hossain: As a politician, I protested incidents of disrespect toward freedom fighters on behalf of my political party. Now that we are in power, we will take preventive measures to protect them.

We will take immediate action whenever such allegations are found to be true. No one will be spared on this issue. If anyone commits such acts or denies the achievements of the Liberation War, they are effectively denying Bangladesh. We will protest against and prevent such actions by individuals or political parties. Legal action will also be taken.

If any freedom fighter wants to return home, we will extend humanitarian assistance to them and take steps in accordance with the law.

Asia Post: There is a discrepancy between the list of victims of the July Uprising sent to the UN and the list prepared in the country. What is your opinion on this?

Ishraque Hossain: According to the UN findings, around 1,400 people were killed during the uprising, while the list prepared in the country and presented by the Prime Minister in Parliament put the number at nearly 2,000.

There are still some complications. Several people died during the movement who were opposed to the uprising, including some police personnel and others. Many of the deceased were people living on the streets whose families never came forward to make claims. As a result, it has become difficult to compile the list.

The list will be completed. We are working on it carefully.

Asia Post: As far as we know, the documents related to Pakistan's surrender are still in India. There has been no effective initiative to bring those documents back home. What is your plan on this matter?

Ishraque Hossain: You have raised an important issue. I will look into the matter and explore how an initiative can be taken to bring the documents back.

Asia Post: You have avoided the media since taking charge of the ministry. What was the reason?

Ishraque Hossain: Yes. Initially, we were instructed to avoid the media because excessive discussion could create embarrassing situations.

Asia Post: Many thanks for giving us your time.

Ishraque Hossain: Thank you as well.