Guard of Honor Held Inside Police Lines
Jamaat obstructs burial program of Freedom Fighter, the complainant in Sayeedi case
Collected Photo
Allegations have been raised against local Jamaat leaders and activists of obstructing the burial program of Bir Muktijoddha Manik Pashari, the complainant in the case against Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, in Pirojpur. Sayeedi was prosecuted for committing war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.
The family alleges that due to obstruction by Jamaat leaders, a guard of honor could not be held publicly. Later, around 5 PM on Saturday, the administration gave a guard of honor inside the police lines and handed over the body to the family.
Manik Pashari (87) was a resident of Ward No. 4 of Chitlia village in Shankarpasha Union of Pirojpur Sadar. He was a gazette-listed Bir Muktijoddha. He died around 10 AM on Saturday at his daughter's house in Tungipara of Gopalganj.
According to family sources, Manik Pashari had been in hiding since August 5, 2024. Later, he moved to his daughter's home in Tungipara. He had been suffering from physical illness for two months.
Family members said that after his death, his body was taken to Pirojpur to be given a guard of honor with state honors. Allegations were raised that when preparations were being organise a guard of honor---the last ceremonial compliments given to freedom fighters--- at the Pirojpur Upazila Parishad auditorium around 12 noon, Jamaat leaders obstructed it. Later, around 5 PM, a guard of honor ceremony was held inside the police lines. After that, the body was handed over to the family.
Faruk Hossain, son-in-law of Manik Pashari, said, "My father-in-law was a gazette-listed freedom fighter. After his death, when we went to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, we were told a guard of honor would be given and were asked to wait until 5 PM. Later, a guard of honor was given secretly and the body was handed over to us. But the UNO did not take any responsibility regarding how we would bury the body. We are very worried about the burial."
Meanwhile, Abdur Razzak, assistant secretary general of the Pirojpur district Jamaat, claimed that Manik Pashari was a fake freedom fighter. He said, "He will not be allowed to be given a guard of honor in any way. His body will not be allowed to be buried in the soil of Pirojpur either."
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shariful Islam of Pirojpur Sadar Police Station said, "Manik Pashari has been given a guard of honor. Legal proceedings regarding this matter are underway."
Md. Iftekharul Islam Shamim, election officer of Pirojpur Sadar Upazila, said that Manik Pashari was given a guard of honor with state honors.
