Complexity over burial of freedom fighter Manik, plaintiff in Sayedee case, secret guard of honour

Family of Bir Muktijoddha Manik Pashari has faced complication over the burial of his body in Pirojpur. The family remains worried about burying his body amid obstruction from local Jamaat leaders. Earlier, after waiting for about seven hours, a secret guard of honour was given to him inside the police lines.

Manik Pashari was the plaintiff in the case against former Pirojpur-1 constituency lawmaker and Jamaat leader Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayedee at the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity.

Manik Pashari, 87, was a resident of Ward No. 4 of Chitalia village under Shankarpasha Union of Pirojpur Sadar Upazila. He was a gazette-listed freedom fighter.

Family members have said that Manik Pashari had been absconding after August 5, 2024. He took shelter at his daughter’s in-laws’ house in Tungipara of Gopalganj. He had been suffering from physical illness for the last two months. He died around 10am in Tungipara on Saturday (October 24). Later, relatives brought the body to the premises of Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parishad around 12pm.

The family has alleged that local Jamaat leaders obstructed the guard of honour and the burial of the body in Pirojpur. Later, around 5pm, a secret guard of honour was given to him inside the police lines. After that, the body was handed over to the family.

Manik Pashari’s son-in-law Faruk Hossain has said, “He died at 10am. When we came to the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer at 12pm, he told us about the guard of honour and kept us waiting till 5pm.”

He has further said, “He was a gazetted freedom fighter. After keeping him in a general ambulance without ice for four to five hours, a secret guard of honour was somehow given. Then the body was handed over to us. But the UNO did not take any responsibility on how we will bury the body. We are very worried about the burial of the body.”

Pirojpur district Jamaat assistant secretary Abdur Razzak has said when asked for the views of local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, “Manik Pashari is a fake freedom fighter. He will not be allowed to be given guard of honour in any way. The body of Manik Pashari will not be allowed to be buried in the soil of Pirojpur.”

Pirojpur Sadar Thana officer-in-charge (OC) Md Shariful Islam has said that guard of honour has been given to Manik Pashari. Subsequent legal measures on this matter are under process.

Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Election Officer Md Iftekharul Islam Shamim has also said that guard of honour has been given to Manik Pashari with state honour. However, it is still not clear whether security has been ensured regarding the burial of his body.