Even after 53 years, Shamchul Islam did not get recognition as a freedom fighter
The deceased of Maheshpatti village of Hogla Union of Purbadhala Upazila of Netrakona has not yet been recognized as a freedom fighter after the liberation war. Son of Ismahil Hossain. Shamshul Islam.
As freedom fighters are not listed in the gazette of the Ministry of Liberation War, they are deprived of all kinds of opportunities. He is living in his daughter's house in Khanpara village of Khalishaud Union of Upazila, sick in late life, careless and poor. Due to old age and illness it is difficult to speak. In his idle time, he only remembers the memories of the liberation war with blurry eyes. His fellow soldiers who participated in the war are also expressing his misery, despair and helplessness. Besides, Bangabandhu's daughter sought help from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to include Shamchul Islam's name in the gazette.
After the war started in 1971, Shamchul Islam first went to Shibbari via Ghoshgaon with the help of freedom fighter Ali Newaz of Tarakanda Upazila of Mymensingh to participate in the liberation war. From there he trained for 30 days at Tora Youth Camp. His instructor was Santh Singh Babaji. After training, he joined Sector No. 11 as a combatant. His company commander AKN Abul Hossain Akand and platoon commander Abdul Qadduch Fakir. Shamchul Islam's group fought the invaders in Jamalpur's Bakshiganj area. When the country became independent, the Mymensingh District School Center surrendered its weapons.
Shamshul Islam's daughter Majeda Akhter Beauty said, "My father sacrificed his life and fought the liberation war. He visited many places to get recognition as a freedom fighter. Applied to many offices. They are 3 sisters in the family of lack. She is keeping the father with her husband's family when the parents go without food as there is no source of income. Another sister is looking after the mother. Father applied online in 2014 for enlistment of freedom fighter whose DG No- DGI134632. Later on February 16, 2017, in the upazila, the upazila was further verified by the Bachai committee, recognizing his father as a freedom fighter and sending the information to the higher authorities at the 2nd rank. Some of that list is included in the gazette, but his father's name is not mentioned! He fell ill due to old age. One day he spoke to Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on mobile phone to describe his father's illness and helplessness.
After listening to his words, the Prime Minister verified Shamchul Islam's information and is giving an honorarium of Rs. The freedom fighter also received facilities from Mymensingh Medical College Hospital due to illness. Purbadhala Upazila Nirbahi Officer applied to the Deputy Commissioner on 18 February 2020 and the Deputy Commissioner applied to the Secretary, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on 5 March 2020 for the registration of freedom fighters. Since there was no work, on October 8, 2023, Honorable Member of Parliament Waresat Hossain Belal Birpratik gave a letter of recommendation to the Director General of the National Freedom Fighters Council. Beauty also said that she made another application to the Director General, National Freedom Fighters Council on October 9, 2023 for her father's gazetted entry. Docket No: 3925. He said, I want to live with pride with the recognition of my father's freedom fighter.
Ali Newaz Khan, a brave freedom fighter from Kalikha village of Tarakanda Upazila of Mymensingh, who trained with Shamchul Islam at Tura Youth Camp, said, Shamchul Islam and I trained together for 30 days. At the end of the training, we did not participate in the war. I have also testified about this several times in different places.
The platoon commander during the liberation war and later the commander of the Muktijoddha Sangsad Purbadhala Thana Command. Sirajul Islam Talukder said, I went to Shamchul Islam's house several times during the police station commander election when the country became independent. He was a registered voter of Hogla Union and voted in the election. Shamchul was a poor and indigent blacksmith. When his house was destroyed by the river, he started living in Goatla, his father-in-law's house. Then he became mentally ill. So there may be complications in gazetting. Actually Shamshul Islam is a freedom fighter. He sought the cooperation of the concerned departments and individuals for the inclusion in the gazette.
Liberation war researcher, Ali Ahmed Khan Ayyub said, I have spoken to him several times. At that time he described some incidents related to the war. I am not done with him. But it seems he is a freedom fighter.
