A veteran freedom fighter who risked his life during the 1971 Liberation War was buried without state honours in Brahmanpara, Cumilla, triggering widespread criticism of the local administration. The failure to provide a Guard of Honour to 78-year-old freedom fighter Abdus Sattar has sparked outrage, while the Upazila administration and police have exchanged conflicting explanations over who was responsible.
Abdus Sattar, who served in several important government offices, including the Ministries of Communications and Law, passed away in Dhaka last Thursday.
RelatedPost
Following his first funeral prayer in the capital, his body was brought to his village, Mahalakshipara, under Brahmanpara Sadar Union in Cumilla.
By the time the body reached the village, it was around 5:30 pm. Family members and local residents had been waiting in the hope that the freedom fighter would receive a final salute and a Guard of Honour in recognition of his contribution to the country’s independence.
However, despite their expectations and appeals, no state ceremonial honour was arranged. He was eventually laid to rest without the state recognition traditionally accorded to freedom fighters.
His brother, Shahjahan, expressed deep disappointment, saying, “We wanted to bid farewell to my brother with the honour he deserved. But that did not happen. We feel ashamed today. The man who fought for nine months with a weapon in his hands to liberate this country did not even receive the honour he was entitled to.”
Another local freedom fighter, Abdus Sattar Molla, described the incident as deeply painful. He said that even if a Guard of Honour could not be arranged after sunset, representatives of the administration could at least have attended the funeral to pay their final respects. But that did not happen either.
Idris Mia Master, commander of the Brahmanpara Upazila Freedom Fighters’ Command, said they had maintained continuous communication with the administration and requested a Guard of Honour and an armed salute. However, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munni Islam reportedly told them that a Guard of Honour could not be given after sunset.
Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Zahirul Haque confirmed the incident and said he had attended the funeral prayer. He added that the failure to provide a Guard of Honour had triggered widespread criticism throughout the area.
Meanwhile, Brahmanpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Faruk Hossain offered a different explanation.
He said a police team had been sent to provide the Guard of Honour, and a bugle-playing team had also arrived from the police lines. However, as no representative of the Upazila administration was present, the police could not independently conduct the ceremony. He added that police personnel had attended the funeral prayer.
Responding to the allegations, UNO Munni Islam said a Guard of Honour was not provided after sunset. She claimed that preparations had nevertheless been made, but there had been uncertainty over the transportation of the body from Dhaka. She also said nobody had contacted her after Maghrib prayers, making it impossible to arrange the ceremony.
During the conversation, she also requested the journalist not to portray the incident in a way that could raise questions about the reputation of Brahmanpara or Cumilla.
The incident has raised serious questions about administrative coordination and accountability. While the police and Upazila administration continue to offer conflicting explanations, a freedom fighter who fought for the country’s independence has been laid to rest without the state honour he and his family had expected.
