Government cancels certificates of 71 fake freedom fighters

The government has cancelled the freedom fighter certificates of 71 individuals after determining that they were not involved in Bangladesh’s Liberation War, officials said.

A gazette notification annulling the certificates was issued on December 24, following an earlier official order by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. The decision was taken under Section 6(ga) of the National Freedom Fighters Council Act, 2022 and the authority granted by the Rules of Business, 1996, according to the notification.

The cancellation was approved at the 101st meeting of the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA), which found through verification that the individuals had unlawfully obtained the certificates, according to local media reports.

Those affected include people listed under civilian, Indian, Lal Mukti Bahini, Ansar, army and martyred police categories.

Sources at JAMUKA said the verification process confirmed that the individuals were not freedom fighters despite possessing official certificates. The government has stated that the scrutiny and verification of freedom fighter credentials across the country are ongoing.