Even after 51 years of independence, one of the organizers of Kurigram’s liberation war is not included in the list of freedom fighters, Late Yunus Ali.

 Saifur Rahman Shamim, Kurigram : 12.12.2022

Many have become freedom fighters in the 51 years of independence.  Received state honours.  But even so far, the name of late Yunus Ali, a resident of Naodanga Union of Phulbari Upazila of Kurigram, the organizer of the liberation war and Awami League leader, has not appeared in the list of final freedom fighters.  Although he got various recognitions for leading the great freedom struggle and liberation war, he did not get the state recognition of the freedom fighter.  His family, teammates and many freedom fighters expressed their anger and demanded that his name be included in the final list soon. In 1971, Yunus Ali was a young Awami League leader.  Due to his organizational skills and leadership ability, he was selected as the editor at that time.  After Bangabandhu’s historic speech on 7th March, Phulbari became turbulent with student movement and struggle under his leadership.  When the liberation war started, he formed Thana Sangram Parishad.  He was elected general secretary.  Civil administration was introduced under the leadership of Sangram Parishad.  This administration played an important role in keeping Phulbari free from invaders for 9 months of the great liberation war by doing various things including managing the local liberation war, setting up freedom fighter camps, selecting students and youths and sending them to India for training, providing logistics to the freedom fighters.

 In 2004, former Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil presented a memorial in recognition of his contribution to the Liberation War.  Also, the liberation war organizer of the region, Bir Prateek Badruzzaman Miah edited the Liberation War Memorial Book, Tajul Mohammad edited the history of the Liberation War, Kurigram Book, his contribution was highlighted.  After the political change in 1975, he had to go to jail for political reasons.  As a result, he was in financial and family trouble.  After his death, his wife and children became destitute.  His family applied for the recognition of freedom fighter in 2015 for the recognition of the national honor of the organizer of the liberation war. On 29 April 2017, his name was listed in the “A” category in the upazila level verification.  Even though he was interviewed, his name was not included in the final list of freedom fighters due to unknown reasons. Not only Yunus Ali, the late Sirajul Haque Ansari, a civil servant who left the side of Pakistan, and one of the members of the Thana Sangram Parishad, there are some others in the neglected category, but their names are included in the final list.  Can’t yet. Brave freedom fighters Khmir Uddin, Shahjahan Ali, Abdul Matin, Rustam Ali said that we have liberated this country by fighting under the leadership of hero Prateek Badruzzaman Sir and Bagha Yunus Sahib, we have become freedom fighters by participating in the war but our leader is Yunus Ali aka Bagha Yunus Sahib, General Secretary of Sangram Parishad.  The name has not been included in the final list of freedom fighters till date.  We will request the Ministry of Freedom Fighters and the Government to include his name in the list of Freedom Fighters in the month of Victory.

 Tahrina Yunus, wife of late Yunus Ali, said that during the liberation war, Major Nayajesh and Delwar Hossain used to come to my house and I would cook and feed them myself and then they would go to different centers.  Even though my husband played such an important role in the liberation war, his name is not in the list of freedom fighters.  I am requesting the government to include my husband’s name in the list of freedom fighters. Sons Ziaul Haider and Jaglul Haider said, my father was an organizer and general secretary of Awami League. He played a great role in the freedom struggle and inspired various young people to fight the liberation war, and he himself participated in the war, from Sahebganj to Siliguri.  He actively participated in the training center.  Unfortunately my father’s name is not included in the list of freedom fighters till date we want to see my father’s name included in the list of freedom fighters. The then office secretary of Sangram Parishad, Amir Ali Mia said, Yunus Ali Bhai’s role in keeping Phulbari free is not to be forgotten, but unfortunately his name has not been included in the final list of freedom fighters till date.  So I humbly request the government to include the name in the final list. Kurigram District Awami League Organizing Secretary and Bangabandhu Cultural Jot President Md. Rasheduzzaman Babu said that in 2004, Bangabandhu Cultural Jot Kurigram district branch awarded 33 meritorious people from nine upazilas of Kurigram district for playing an important role for the country and the nation, among them from Phulbari upazila.  Bagha Yunus Saheb was nominated.  As he played a special role during the liberation war, he was also included and honored. The then general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League late Abdul Jalil Sahib, a distinguished politician, was present as the chief guest at the ceremony, but we regret to know that he has not been recognized even today.  I strongly demand that he be recognized subject to a fair investigation. Fulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Suman Das said, “If there is an application from late Yunus Ali, we will take necessary measures after looking at the files and take the advice of the higher authorities.”