Despite evidence to attend Liberation War, Abdus Sattar Patwari not yet enlisted as FF
Abu Bakar Siddique, Sonaimuri (Noakhali)
Those who risked their lives to fight to liberate the country are considered the best sons of the nation (freedom fighters). But Abdus Sattar Patwari has not yet been recognized as a freedom fighter. He is a resident of Shilmud village in Bajra Union of Sonaimuri Upazila of Noakhali.
Even after 52 years of independence, he is living an inhuman life without receiving the recognition and respect of a freedom fighter.
Since he was not included in the list of freedom fighters, he is deprived of freedom fighter allowance and other facilities.
At that time, he said, I participated in the great liberation war in 1971 at the age of 17. At that time, I participated in training in Agartala in India with 6 freedom fighters under my leadership. After 27 days of training, I was responsible for managing the camp.
Then I joined an operation in Feni. I participated in the war with 15 freedom fighters to confront the Pakistani invaders in Bogadiya of Sonaimuri Upazila. At that time, we were in full control of the place after removing the Pakistanis.
He also said, I participated in the liberation war along with my neighbors Nur Hossain, Nur Nabi, Humayun Kabir. But although everyone received the title of brave freedom fighter, only I did not get state recognition. Although the people of my own village and other brave freedom fighters of the upazila addressed Abdus Sattar as a freedom fighter, he did not get recognition on paper or in the 52nd Independence Day.
It is learnt that after the country became independent, the names of freedom fighters were listed, but Abdus Sattar's name was not recorded in the Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust. Finally, he could not apply because he could not find out how to get his name on the brave freedom fighter list online.
He was kidnapped while returning from Dhaka and lost his freedom fighter related documents including freedom fighters' release papers, gazettes, Indian certificates and database forms. Abdus Sattar's last wish is that he can die with the title of a brave freedom fighter.
