Obstruction in freedom fighter’s burial, angry Sohel Rana says, ‘no more forgiveness this time’

Actor, producer and Bir Muktijoddha Sohel Rana has expressed anger on Facebook. He has written that anti-independence forces have created obstruction in burying a Bir Muktijoddha of the battlefield of 1971. The daughter has dug the grave for her father with her own hands. He has also mentioned that the previously dug grave was filled with soil by the defeated enemies.

In the post given on Monday Sohel Rana has raised the question whether the pro-independence forces are now running the government, yet no sign of this is being seen.

He has also written about harsh punishment like killing by shooting openly and demanded a proper answer from the government. Mentioning the failure to convey the spirit of the Liberation War to the next generation, he has written that neither protest nor resistance is being seen. At the end of the post he has called for everyone on the side of the Liberation War to wake up, no more forgiveness this time.

Earlier the body of Bir Muktijoddha Manik Pashari of Pirojpur was brought to the district on Saturday afternoon. He was the plaintiff in the case filed against Delawar Hossain Sayedee, who was convicted for crimes against humanity in 1971. When the body was taken to the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises to give guard of honour with state honour, local Jamaat leaders and workers gathered there. Relatives have alleged that obstruction was then created over the guard of honour and burial.

Later when the body was handed over to the family, initiative was taken for burial at his own home. Local sources have said that even then Jamaat leaders, workers and supporters gathered and created obstruction. At one stage the grave dug for him was filled with soil. In this way his burial was blocked for about 17 hours. The family has alleged that they did not get necessary cooperation from the administration either.

Finally as no one came forward to dig the grave, in the deep night under the light of mobile phones in Chithalia village of Pirojpur his daughter Simu Akhtar and her two aunts dug the grave with spades in their hands. The burial was completed under police security around 2:45am. Although the burial was done, there was no janaza for him in his own area, it has been learnt. Criticism and protest are continuing across the country over the incident.