Freedom fighter buried without guard of honor as UNO fails to attend despite police presence

Abdus Sattar (78), risked his life during the 1971 Liberation War. Taking up arms, he fought to secure the red and green flag of an independent Bangladesh. Yet, in his final farewell, the freedom fighter was denied even the state honor he deserved.

His family was eventually forced to bury him without a guard of honor. The incident has triggered allegations of negligence against the Brahmanpara Upazila administration in Cumilla. Family members, local residents and fellow freedom fighters have expressed their outrage.

Abdus Sattar died in Dhaka on Thursday (November 5). He was a resident of Mahalakshmipara village under Sadar Union in Brahmanpara Upazila. During his professional career, he served in several important government offices, including the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Law. He had been spending the final days of his life with his son in Dhaka due to old age.

After his first funeral prayer in Dhaka, his body was taken to his ancestral home on Thursday afternoon. When it arrived in the village at around 5:30 p.m., family members waited for a guard of honor as part of the state tribute. However, despite waiting for a long time, no representative of the upazila administration arrived. Eventually, he was buried without state honors.

The family alleged that they had informed Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munna Islam about the matter several times, but she took no necessary steps. According to the family, arrangements for the guard of honor were not made on the pretext that it was already night.

What does the law say about honoring freedom fighters?

Under the State Honors for Deceased Freedom Fighters Order, 2020, the coffin of a deceased freedom fighter must be covered with the national flag. However, the flag must be removed before cremation or burial.

An authorized government representative must lay a wreath on the coffin. An armed salute must be given by the prescribed number of police personnel, accompanied by a solemn tune played on a bugle.

The order further states that the officer-in-charge of the relevant police station will conduct the guard of honor. If the officer-in-charge is unable to attend due to state or other important public duties, the next senior officer at the police station will perform the responsibility. In the case of retired freedom fighters from the armed forces, the respective force’s own traditions must be followed.

The order also states that cremation or burial must be carried out in accordance with the deceased freedom fighter’s final wishes and religious practices. Financial assistance must be arranged for financially disadvantaged freedom fighters from funds allocated by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

‘Even after liberating the country, He did not receive the honor he deserved’

Abdus Sattar’s brother Shahjahan expressed his anger over being unable to give his brother the final honors he deserved.

He said, “I wanted to bid my brother farewell after paying him his final respects. But that did not happen. He fought for nine months with a weapon in his hands to liberate this country, yet he did not receive even the honor he deserved.”

Another freedom fighter from Mahalakshmipara village, Abdus Sattar Molla, said, “This is extremely painful. Even if a guard of honor could not be given after sunset, at least someone from the administration could have come to pay their final respects. But even that was not done. As a fellow freedom fighter, it is unbearable to witness such disrespect toward a comrade.”

Brahmanpara Upazila Freedom Fighters’ Commander Idris Mia Master also alleged negligence on the part of the upazila administration. He said he had maintained regular communication with the administration and requested arrangements for the guard of honor and armed salute. However, UNO Munni Islam did not respond to his request.

He alleged that the UNO had cited the inability to provide a guard of honor after sunset as an excuse.

Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Zahirul Haque, who attended the funeral prayer, said it was extremely unfortunate that a freedom fighter had not been given a guard of honor.

However, Brahmanpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Faruk Hossain claimed there had been no negligence on the part of the police.

He said, “I sent police personnel to provide the guard of honor. A team also came from the police lines to play the bugle. However, as no one from the upazila administration was present, the police could not provide the guard of honor alone.”

Several attempts were made to contact Brahmanpara UNO Munni Islam by phone to obtain her comments on the matter, but she did not respond. As a result, her comments could not be obtained.

Later, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rozi Akter was contacted. She told Agamir Somoy, “A written explanation has been sought from the UNO of Brahmanpara regarding why the freedom fighter was not given a guard of honor and why no one visited his home to express sympathy. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner.”

The DC added that a decision regarding the UNO would be made after receiving her written explanation.