War hero passes away in negligence

Veteran freedom fighter Md Rafiz Uddin Refaz, who was bed-ridden for two years, died for lack of better treatment at Muktagacha Upazila Health Complex in Mymensingh Friday noon, aged 84.

He was suffering from various diseases including acute respiratory problem.

Refaz, a company commander during the 1971 Liberation War, participated in many battles in Mymensingh and trained over 300 youths at a temporary camp in Muktagacha College.

With support from Awami League leaders Khandaker Abdul Malek Shahidullah, Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan, Dhalu (in India) Youth Camp in-charge Principal Motiur Rahman and deputy camp in-charge Shishir Kumar Raxsit, he formed "Refaz Company", where some 80 freedom fighters along with him fought against the Pakistan occupation army, said Shahidullah, a freedom fighter and a member of provincial assembly in 1970.

After the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, Refaz was arrested for protesting the killing. He was taken to Muktagacha Police Station and brutally tortured, said Abdul Hye Akand, a former freedom fighter member of "Refaz Company", and an ex-secretary of Muktagacha unit Awami League. Since then, he gradually became victim of various diseases, family members informed.

He suffered a brain stroke in 2004 and the left part of his body became paralysed. The family continuously struggled to maintain his treatment as the expense kept on increasing, they added.

The family also held a press conference on March 13 at Mymensingh Press Club, seeking the government's help but to no avail, said Moazzem Hossain, eldest son of Refaz.

Refaz left behind his wife, four sons, and two daughters.

He was buried with state honour at Muktagacha municipal graveyard yesterday, attended by leaders of different political parties and freedom fighters.