2,111 freedom fighters under the age of 12 years and 6 months will be dropped from the list, said Farooq-e-Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
He made this statement at a press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday (December 11) to prepare for the Martyred Intellectuals' Day and Great Victory Day programs.
He said that the age of freedom fighters has been set by the ministry at 12 years and 6 months. There are 2,111 people younger than this. They will be dropped from the list.
Farooq-e-Azam said that there are many complaints. Many have been listed without being freedom fighters and have taken all the facilities and benefits. This is a betrayal of the nation. After the court's decision, arrangements will be made to punish them. They should be punished. There are various lists here. It will take some time. We will try so that the dignity of real freedom fighters is not tarnished. However, to give them a chance, indemnity can be given. If they leave voluntarily, they can get general amnesty. Otherwise, they will be charged.’
The adviser on liberation war affairs said that the total number of freedom fighters receiving allowances from the ministry is 196,454. Of these, 464 are female warriors. There are 5,895 war-wounded freedom fighters, 5,333 martyred freedom fighters and 368 titled freedom fighters. In total, the total number of freedom fighters receiving allowances is 28,050.
He further said that the total number of those appointed under the freedom fighter quota in government jobs is 89,235. And the number of martyred intellectuals is 560.
In response to a question about the list of Razakars, Faruk-e-Azam said, “I do not have the list of Razakars. I have not received any file. The ministry does not have this document either. Even if I want to make a list, it cannot be made. It is not possible to make a list of freedom fighters like it is now. It is a very difficult task. It's very difficult to figure out who is where in the world today, even though it happened 50 years ago.