Accord gallantry awards to unrecognised war heroes

Discussants at a seminar yesterday suggested that the government recognise and honour with gallantry awards like Bir Srestha, Bir Uttam, Bir Bikram and Bir Pratik people whose significant roles and valiant contributions to the Liberation War were yet to be recorded.

Many police, teachers, professionals and rural women contributed immensely to achieve independence. But their sacrifices are yet to be documented in history and get state recognition, said HT Imam, political adviser of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"So I support reconsidering the issue," he viewed at "Contribution of police in liberation and role of police in protecting democracy and human rights", organised by non-government social organisation Journey at the Dhaka University's senate building.

On rise of militancy, Imam said if Prof Humayun Azad's attackers had been tried following a proper investigation, the killing of Avijit Roy would not have taken place.

Avijit's murder, right under the nose of police, is not acceptable, he added.

"Besides, I know some incidents when people sought help from nearby on-duty police, but police did not come. They are the black sheep in your service. Identify these black sheep and try them," he told the inspector general of police who was present at the programme. 

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq said though many years already passed, the awarding issue should be taken up so that "the discrimination can be removed".

Denying any dialogue possibility with the BNP-led 20-party alliance to overcome the ongoing political crisis, he said, "Those so-called civil society members talk for dialogue...they are indirectly supporting militancy of Khaleda Zia and the political party of war criminals."

Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Mashiur Rahman said any attack on the country's democracy and sovereignty would be resisted.

Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said police were providing the democratically elected government all kinds of support.

On BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, missing since March 10, he said no law enforcing agency arrested him.

On the warrant issued for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's arrest, he said once it reaches their hands, police were obligated to execute the court order.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said, "We brought the diplomatic zone under CCTV and the TSC, Shahbagh and Shaheed Minar areas will be brought under CCTV by this month."

Journey Adviser Khondoker Bazlul Haque chaired the function while valiant freedom fighter Mahbub Uddin (Bir Bikram), National Human Rights Commission Honorary Member Prof Mahfuza Khanom and several academicians and rights activists spoke. They emphasised modernising the police force to make it people-friendly.