A 43-year-old man named Jahangir Alam has been arrested over a Facebook post “mocking” the quota system for freedom fighters in the government jobs of Bangladesh. Jahangir, son of Md Mokhlesur Rahman from CP Road in the Dharanda area of Hakimpur upazila, was taken into custody following a case filed by Freedom Fighter Liakat Ali, the former commander of Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad. The case was registered under the Cyber Security Act on Wednesday noon. Restoration of Freedom Fighters quota: July 4 set for full bench hearing before Supreme Court  Md Dulal Hossain, officer in charge (OC) of Hakimpur police station, confirmed the arrest and stated that Jahangir was apprehended from his home in the afternoon. The arrestee will be sent to jail through Dinajpur court today, added the OC. “Merit loses when quota wins”: BAU students protest HC order on govt jobs The Facebook post, made by Jahangir on June 17, suggested that "30 percent of the meat of sacrificial animals should be allotted to the grandchildren of freedom fighters." This post quickly went viral, sparking outrage among the family members of freedom fighters.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan accorded a reception to the gallantry award holders and heroic freedom fighters of the Bangladesh Air Force, heroic Pilots of `Kilo Flight’ and their successors on  Thursday at BAF Shaheen Hall of Tejgaon in the city.  In response to the call of the Father of the Nation, valiant freedom fighters of the Bangladesh Air Force joined the great Liberation War. Besides, the members of kilo Flight made a rare example in air combat.  17, 359 MT rice, 7, 614 MT Aman paddy to be collected from Naogaon this season The contribution of the heroic freedom fighters and the members of Kilo Flight are remembered with utmost respect by the nation.  In recognition to their sacrifice, the reception was organised on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2023 where a total of 26 heroic Freedom Fighters and their successors were present. The Pilots of `Kilo Flight’ and their successors were also present in the ceremony, said a ISPR media release. Dengue: 7 more die; 1,094 hospitalised in 24hrs The Chief of Air Staff exchanged greetings with the heroic Freedom Fighters and their successors during the event.  In his speech, the Air Chief  respectfully recalled the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all heroic freedom fighters including the martyrs of Libaration War.  "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has continued her efforts to build the Air Force as desired by the Father of the Nation. Bangladesh Air Force, which was born with only three aircraft on the battlefield of the Liberation War, is today equipped with sophisticated fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters, various types of radars, missiles and even overhauling technology," he said. Brac Bank’s TARA launches savings campaign with special offer for women A number of projects have been undertaken to increase operational and administrative capacity and several projects have been successfully implemented The sacrifice and contribution of heroic freedom fighters and the members of Kilo Flight have become the source of inspiration for all the present members of the Bangladesh Air Force.  Principal Staff Officers and Senior Officers of the Bangladesh Air Force were present on the occasion.

The country’s rivers had played a vital role in defending and guiding the trajectory of Bangladesh's 1971 War of Liberation to victory as a larger number of operations run by the freedom fighters were on the rivers. In 1971, rivers played one of the critical strategic roles, resisting the free and frequent movement of the enemies – Pakistani occupation forces. Most importantly, rivers acted as front-line soldiers by encountering enemies in the first place in the War of Liberation. During the War of Liberation, Bangladesh was strategically divided into 11 sectors to defeat the Pakistani army. As Bangladesh is a riverine country, rivers formed most sector boundaries. Some 87 percent (precisely 86.89pc) of the total boundary of the 11 sectors was demarcated by the rivers, according to a study conducted over the role of rivers in the War of Liberation by a non-government organisation --River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). Read more: Bangladesh's Liberation War deeply moving for us: Kennedy Jr Mainly, rivers such as Padma, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Jamuna, Surma, Madhumati, and Muhuri played a key role in the formation of the sectors. The highest 100 percent boundary of Sector-1 was demarcated by rivers, while lowest 76.32 percent of Sector-7 was drawn by rivers. Based on the study findings, the RDRC prepared several maps that help understand the geographical aspects, especially rivers and water bodies of Bangladesh in 1971 and how they influenced Bangladesh’s birth. The Sector-10, which covered the entire waterways of Bangladesh including coastal areas, rivers and seaports was formed on May 13, 1971, before the other sectors formed on 12-15 June, 1971. Read more: Brave Women Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War According to government official data, naval commandos of sector-10 had undertaken 78 operations along with Jackpot and Hot Pants. In addition, the RDRC in its study found more than 300 guerrilla operations carried out on rivers. In these operations, rivers served as a natural defence, and tactical advantage support mechanism that holds an unassailable position on the enemy side of the river. In this manner, rivers led to the success in the Liberation War. Big and small rivers, monsoon and rains, have isolated, slowed the enemy forces from their occupation, led to national strength and often to war success, cumulating to national independence. “We found 1270 rivers and streams existed during 1971 in Bangladesh. Every channel and stream played a role of direct defence, as well as served as a tactical advantage support mechanism that holds an unassailable position,” said RDRC chairman Mohammad Azaz. Read More: 1971 and the Elderly He said the eastern units of Pakistani troops were supported and supplied the logistics and ammunition through river networks from the beginning of the war in March 1971.  In the beginning, the guerilla operations were mainly on land, he added. As the operations increased, Pakistani troops used rivers and waterways as the safest network. Ships and supply chain networks were active and transported across all the major river ports in the country. This situation was functional up to mid-August, he said. “We found that the naval operations and other operations on rivers gained attention globally, and Pakistani forces started losing their confidence and started losing the war from August to December 1971.The guerrilla operations had also lowered the morale of the Pakistani army,” said Azaz. During the 1971 War of Liberation, rivers and waterbodies played a vital role in facilitating communication within and outside the country and helped demolish the Pakistani Military. The influence of Pakistani occupation forces started declining sharply due to naval operations particularly after August 16, 1971, which led to the victory and birth of Bangladesh as a new country in the world’s map. Read More: 1971 loss a ‘military failure’, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal says after ex army chief called it ‘political failure’

To pay tribute to the freedom fighters, a group of 16 athletes walked 51km Saturday. "Hatahati – the Walks," a group of walkers, observed the programme marking the 51st Victory Day. They started at the zero point of the capital at Friday midnight and walked on through Dhaka–Mawa–Dhaka highway till 1.30pm. At the endpoint of the programme, the walkers paid respect to the freedom fighters of 1971 and took an oath to serve the nation with sincere and responsible citizenship. Read more: Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrated in Dubai with ‘Bijoy Art Exhibition’ Hatahati – the Walks motivates people and shares information about the necessity and usefulness of walking. They also organise walkathons and long-distance walking or hiking programmes. The walkers' group organised a 71km Dhaka-Valuka walkathon last year to observe 1971, the year of Bangladesh's independence. To pay respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary they also arranged a 100km walking programme from Dhaka to Cumilla.

Bangladesh Association of Librarians, Information Scientists and Documentalists (BALID) recently honoured six freedom fighters from across the country in the month of victory. The freedom fighters are SM Mannan (Sector 8), Aktaruzzaman (Sector 11), Md Anisur Rahman (Sector 9), Ainuddin Ahmed (Sector 3), Md Abdul Gaffar (Sector 6) and Md Mahbub Alam (Sector 8). With the support of the Liberation War Museum, BALID organised a ceremony in the capital to honour them. Read: BGMEA honors non-resident Bangladeshis with NRB Award Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was the chief guest at the event. BALID Chairman Muhammad Hossam Haider Chowdhury presided over it. Also, Liberation War Museum Trustee Mofidul Hoque spoke as the guest of honour. Mozammel handed over crests of appreciation and certificates to the freedom fighters. More than 100 guests, including government and non-government officials, library and information professionals, executive committee members and patrons of BALID, and mass media representatives joined the event.  

Remembering the late Indian singer, cultural icon and politician from Assam Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 11th death anniversary, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said Hazarika's songs played an influential role during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. "During our Liberation War, songs of Dr Bhupen Hazarika inspired our freedom fighters. He was not only a prolific cultural icon but also a politician and even served as MLA of Assam. He passionately created meaningful melodies that transcended the barriers," Khalid said. To mark his death anniversary, a Bangladesh-India ceremony was held in the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA)'s National Theatre Hall auditorium Saturday, which Khalid joined as the chief guest. Cultural Secretary of the Awami League and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Cultural Affairs Asim Kumar Ukil, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur and Chief Coordinator of Friends of Bangladesh ASM Shamsul Arefin were also present. Bhupen Hazarika's sister-in-law and singer Manisha Hazarika and Byatikram MASDO President Soumen Bharatiya joined the event as the speakers. "I often wondered why Bhupen Da wandered around here and there – from Assam to Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangladesh and so on. Later I realised, he brought Assam to the world through his remarkable and majestic literary creations,” Manisha said. Bhupen Hazarika used to travel to Bangladesh regularly and study the folk culture of the nation, crafting an everlasting cultural bond with the country. BSA DG Liaquat Ali Lucky was a close acquaintance of Hazarika and often performed his songs as a singer. Lucky said: "While serving as the Dhaka University Central Student's Union's cultural affairs secretary, I travelled the nation singing Dr Bhupen Hazarika's songs. Also, Bhupen da complimented me and gave me the title "Bhupen of Bangladesh" after listening to my rendition of his songs."

The Jatiya Muktijoddha Council Bill, 2022 was passed in Parliament on Monday, aiming to ensure the welfare of the Freedom Fighters and their families keeping a provision to prepare a list of anti liberation forces. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote. As per the Bill, there will be a council called Jatiya Muktijoddha Council whose head office will be in Dhaka. Its branch can be set up in any place of the country taking prior permission from the government. Liberation War Affairs Minister Will be the chairman of the Council. If there is any state minister or deputy minister of the Ministry he or she will be the senior vice chairman. The Secretary of the Ministry will be vice chairman, eight nominated persons by the chief advisor of the Advisory Council, Prime Minister and the Director General of the advisory council. The council will hold at least one meeting every two months. Read: More than two-thirds of births avoid C-section One of the main tasks of the Council will be preparation of the lists of Razakars, Al Badars and Al Shams who were involved in anti-Liberation activities including killing, raping, arson or opposed Liberation War directly or indirectly. The advisory council will be headed by the Prime Minister. The other members of the advisory council will be Liberation War Affairs Minister or state minister or deputy minister, five nominated persons by the chief advisor and secretary of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry. The tenure of the advisory council will be three years.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Thursday has launched smart ID card and digital certificate distribution among freedom fighters through which a total of 24,761 freedom fighters will receive smart ID cards and 46,803 digital certificates initially. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque inaugurated the programme at the Ministry’s meeting room on Thursday. The Minister said that printing of smart ID cards and digital certificates of 17 districts has been completed. Read: Freedom Fighters' rations recommended for review “Printing of cards and certificates for the rest of the districts will be finished within next one and a half months. Among 46,803 freedom fighters who will receive digital certificates, 24,761 are alive and 22,042 are dead,” said the Minister. In his welcome speech, Khaja Miah, Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, said that in rural areas, the ID cards and certificates will be distributed by Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs’) while Deputy Commissioners (DCs’) will distribute them in metropolitan areas. “The ID cards and certificates will have to be distributed checking the consolidated list published on the Ministry’s website (www.molwa.gov.bd). Cards and certificates can’t be provided to those whose names have not been listed. Those freedom fighters who’ve already died will receive only digital certificates, not cards,” said Khaja.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Liberation War Affairs Ministry on Monday recommended the government to review the provision of rations to the valiant Freedom Fighters of the country.It also recommended to send urgent letters along with necessary directions through virtual meetings to all district hospitals and 22 specialised hospitals aiming to ensure medicare facilities to the Freedom Fighters.These decisions were taken at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Liberation War Affairs of the 11th National Parliament held at Sangsad Bhaban with Shajahan Khan in the chair.It recommended the Ministry to take necessary measures through discussions with Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) regarding further reduction of service charge from 8 percent on loans given to the freedom fighters .The meeting recommended necessary amendments to the draft booklet containing various benefits provided to freedom fighters and their families.It also recommended that in every district and upazila of the country, while acquiring land for the construction of Muktijoddha complex buildings priority should be given to the urban area in terms of site selection.In the meeting, the progress of the implementation of the decisions taken in the 27th meeting, the progress of the publication and distribution of the smart card of the freedom fighters, digital certificates and booklets containing various benefits were discussed.It also discussed the statement of income and expenditure of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust of the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the latest progress of publishing the list of the freedom fighters. The report of Sub-Committee No. 8 formed by the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs was discussed in detail.Committee members Minister of Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque, Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam, AB Tajul Islam, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Moshalem Uddin Ahmad was present in the meeting.Additional Secretary of Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Director General of National Freedom Fighters Council, heads of various organizations and relevant officials of Ministry and National Parliament Secretariat were present in the meeting.

Enraged over threats to a fellow war hero, a group of senior freedom fighters took to the streets calling for expulsion of a newly inducted AL leader who stand accused of forcing a freedom fighter to speak in favour of the former’s father, a known Jamaat sympathizer. Holding a human chain, under the banner of “War Heroes of Palashbari”, they demanded removal of the controversial leader Mohibul Hasan Mukit, organizing secretary of the newly announced Palasbari Upazial AL unit, from his rank and file with immediate effect. With banners and placards like “no impunity for threating war heroes of losing their certificates and allowances”, they, quoting the victim Nasir Uddin, alleged that “scare tactics were put in display by Mukit, who to extract confession glorifying his father’s contribution in the Liberation War. But in reality his father always stood beside local Jamaat leaders and activists”. READ: Gaibandha AL leader allegedly threatens freedom fighter In reference to the seizure of jihadi books from his house back in 2013 by local administration, they claimed “Shibir activists always found sheltered in their houses”, seeking intervention from AL central leadership in this matter.    Based on the complaint, a probe body has been formed to dig out facts against Mukit with the committee reportedly submitted its report to the central authority having interviewed as many as 28 local AL leaders and freedom fighters with none spoke in favour of Mukit.