Women FFs demand recognition
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury poses with other guests at a reception in Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum in the city yesterday. Ekattorer Jatri, a socio-cultural organisation, arranged the programme in honour of the women freedom fighters.Photo: STAR
A number of women freedom fighters yesterday demanded proper recognition to their contribution and sacrifice in the 1971 war of liberation. They said women are always depicted as the victim of repression and torture in the liberation war, but many women played vital role in the war through direct participation. So women fighters should be given due respect and recognition, they added. The demand arose at a reception programme of women freedom fighters styled "Ekattorer Nari" organised by Ekattorer Jatri, a socio-cultural organisation, at the National Museum. Speaking as the chief guest, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said women sacrificed a lot during the liberation war, but their contribution is not reflected in the history. "As a nation, it is our first and foremost duty to try the war criminals to pay the debt we owe the martyred", she said, adding that the war crimes trial will surely be held. Former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid termed the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) as "lame horse" and said the trial procedure should be speedier. Saying that it is not possible to complete the trial of all war criminals by one ICT, Harun, also the secretary general of Sector Commanders Forum, demanded strengthening the ICT and increasing its number. Veteran freedom fighter Kakon Bibi said, "My soul will not be at eternal peace after death if I cannot see the trial of war criminals in my life". Another war hero Forkan Begum, who launched guerrilla warfare in 1971, demanded conferring of "Bir Uttam" and "Bir Protik" status on 100 women freedom fighters. A total of 14 women freedom fighters yesterday received honour for their contribution while Matia Chowdhury received a special honour as an organiser of the liberation war. Freedom fighter and columnist Harun Habib presided over the programme, which was addressed, among others, by Liberation War Museum trustee Dr Sarwar Ali and Jahangirnagar University's Prof Jebunnesa.
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