Ministry to probe into obstruction of Manik Pashari's burial, questions over FF certificate
Body of Freedom fighter Manik Pashari in a corpse transporting vehicle. Recent photo. Collected.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will investigate published news regarding complications over the burial of Bir Muktijoddha Manik Pashari in Pirojpur and the authenticity of his freedom fighter certificate. A high-level investigation committee has been formed for this purpose, according to a press release issued today, Thursday.
It said that reports published in various media regarding Manik Pashari's death, burial, the authenticity of his freedom fighter certificate, and other matters related to the incident have come to the ministry's attention. Considering the matters with importance, the high-level investigation committee will uncover the real facts of the incident and verify the relevant matters. Minister of Liberation War Affairs Ahmed Azam Khan MP has given instructions on the matter.
The committee has been asked to complete the investigation neutrally and objectively in the shortest possible time and submit a report. The ministry will review the investigation committee's report and recommendations and take subsequent necessary measures in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The press release further mentioned that just as the ministry is working to cancel non-freedom fighters from the freedom fighter list in order to uphold the spirit and dignity of the great Liberation War, its position is also clear on ensuring that the honor and dignity of any genuine freedom fighter is not undermined. At the same time, if any freedom fighter is involved in unethical activities or is used on behalf of any organization or group, he himself must bear the responsibility.
Manik Pashari was the complainant in the case filed against Jamaat leader and former MP Delawar Hossain Sayeedi, who was convicted on charges of crimes against humanity in 1971. Last Saturday, his body was taken to Pirojpur for burial. There, local Jamaat leaders and activists obstructed the guard of honor and the burial of the body. At one stage, he was given a guard of honor rather secretly inside the police lines. Later, complications arose over the burial of the body in the face of obstruction by Jamaat leaders.
That same day, at around 1 am, with the assistance of Sadar police station, Manik Pashari's body was taken to his home. There, his wife, daughter, sister, and other family members dug a grave together and completed the burial at around 2 am.
At that time, Pirojpur district Jamaat Assistant Secretary Abdur Razzaq denied the allegation of obstructing the burial of the body. However, multiple videos spread on social media showed that many of those who held processions and made speeches saying "Manik Pashari's burial will not be allowed to take place in Pirojpur" and campaigned on Facebook were local Jamaat leaders and activists.
In response to the situation created by this incident, Jamaat-e-Islami formed a two-member investigation committee last Tuesday. The decision was taken at a special meeting of the central executive council at the party's central office in Magbazar in the capital.Party central executive council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP and Dhaka Metropolitan South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul MP are members of the committee. It was said that they will conduct a proper and neutral investigation and examine whether anyone from the organization is involved in the incident. The committee has been instructed to submit the investigation report within three days.
