Plea to get enrolled as FF

Shafiar Rahman, 64, a retired lashkar (sailor) of Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB), was an assistant trainer of newly-joined freedom fighters in Jhaukuthi Training Camp of Aulipurduar Police Station in Assam state of India during the Liberation War of 1971.  

He is a son of late Shafar Uddin Sarkar of Maratari village in Ghogadaho union under Kurigram Sadar upazila.

Shafiar joined WDB as lashkar in 1975 and retired in June of 2010. He has been paralysed for about four years and lives in his home at Maratari village.

The government gave a scope to the freedom fighters of being enlisted through online in 2014, but he could not enlist himself due to illness.

Shafiar said, "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to Jattrapur union under Kurigram Sadar upazila before the Liberation War in 1971, and I talked with him and shook his hand. I joined Jhaukuthi Primary Training Camp where new freedom fighters were trained after the crackdown on March 1971."

"After around one month, the camp authorities made me an assistant trainer. I worked under the organiser of freedom fighters Shamsul Haque," he added.

"Over 500 new freedom fighters were given primary training without arms (using bamboo sticks). I never participated in any fighting against the Pakistani army or their associate forces," said Shafiar.

"I received the certificate signed by Shamsul Haque on December 21, 1971. As I was poor and educated up to class eight, I joined WDB in 1975. I did not know about the benefits for freedom fighters," said Shafiar.   

"I could not enlist myself through online due to my illness. I have submitted a prayer to the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council to be a listed as a freedom fighter," he added. 

Upazila Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Kurigram Sadar upazila Command, Abdul Baten Sarker said, "Shafiar is a freedom fighter as he has a certificate that he received primary training from Bangladesh Youth Reception Camp in Jhaukuthi. We will take steps on the matter after we get an office order."