Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has undertaken various initiatives to prepare an accurate and comprehensive list of those who were martyred during the War of Liberation in 1971, noting that the governments immediately after the Liberation War had failed to compile a neutral and complete register as they had politicised the process.
"Unfortunately, those who were responsible after the country's independence for preparing a neutral and comprehensive list of those martyred in the War of Liberation did not do so. Instead, politics was brought into the process of preparing the list," he told Parliament.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while responding to a starred question from BNP lawmaker Md Ruhul Amin Dulal (Pirojpur-3) during the question-and-answer session in the House.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal presided over the sitting.
Tarique Rahman said realising the importance of the issue, the present government pledged in its election manifesto to prepare a comprehensive list of the Liberation War martyrs based on thorough research.
To fulfil that commitment, he said, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has already undertaken a number of initiatives, including organising meetings with Liberation War researchers, holding continuous discussion with relevant stakeholders, and formulating a detailed and practical action plan.
"The government believes that through these initiatives, it will be possible to prepare an accurate and widely acceptable list of all those martyred during the Liberation War and the genocide, and ensure proper recognition and honour for their sacrifices," the Prime Minister said.
Replying to a supplementary question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Anwarul Islam (Kurigram-1), he said BNP sincerely believes it has a sacred responsibility towards the Liberation War and freedom fighters.
Tarique Rahman reiterated that those who had the responsibility of preparing an accurate and impartial list of freedom fighters after independence failed to do so, while subsequent efforts to prepare the lists over the years were also hampered by various problems.
He said the government is now working with experts to prepare a complete and accurate list of freedom fighters based on credible research and verification.