Freedom fighter’s grave torched in Shariatpur on Victory Day

“I heard my mother screaming and rushed to father’s grave. I found ashes spread over parts of the grave,” says the freedom fighter’s daughter

The grave of a freedom fighter has been set on fire in Shariatpur Sadar Upazila on the morning of Victory Day.

The family of freedom fighter Abdul Mannan Khan said that someone had set fire to the grave in Char Niamatpur village of Angaria Union and fled the scene on Tuesday morning.

Villagers said that Mannan, a resident of Char Niamatpur village, took part in the Liberation War in 1971 and fought against the Pakistani occupying forces. He died on Jan 8, 2010. His family buried him near their home.

The attacker or attackers gathered some jute sticks, twigs and dry leaves and set them on fire. In the morning, family members found signs of the fire on the grave. When informed, Palong police went to the spot.

Freedom fighter Mannan left behind two sons and two daughters. After Mannan's death, his wife Mahfuza Begum lived in Niamatpur village with a son and a daughter.

“I heard my mother screaming and rushed to father’s grave,” Mannan’s daughter Afroza Akhter said. “I found ashes spread over parts of the grave. The ashes scattered there were from a recent fire.”

“I immediately informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and other freedom fighters. I don’t know who did this or what their intention was. However, we’re worried and appalled over the incident.”

When asked about this, Shariatpur Sadar Upazila administrator (UNO) Elora Yasmin said: “The daughter of a valiant freedom fighter informed me about the setting of a fire at his grave. We’ll conduct a detailed investigation on it.”

Palong Model Police Station chief (OC) Shah Alam said, “Someone or some people have set fire to the grave of valiant freedom fighter Abdul Mannan Khan. We are investigating it."

Abdul Aziz Sikder, convener of the Shariatpur Sadar Upazila Freedom Fighters Command Council, said such incidents cause concern and anxiety.

He said, "We have received news that the grave of a freedom fighter has been set on fire. We, the freedom fighters, will discuss the matter and make a decision on what to do next."

However, Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum claimed that she was unaware of the burning of the freedom fighter’s grave.

She said, "I have not heard of any such incident yet. I will talk to the superintendent of police and take the necessary action."