Bangladesh offers allowance to members of 1971 forces

The Bangladesh prime minister yesterday announced that the government would provide allowance from January next to the members of different forces who took part in the Liberation War.“We’ve taken a decision to give allowance from January 2018 to those who fought for the country’s independence from different forces including the armed forces, police, Ansar-VDP and Border Guard Bangladesh,” Sheikh Hasina told a reception at an event held to mark the Armed Forces Day 2017 in Dhaka yesterday.The prime minister accorded the reception to gallantry award-recipients freedom fighters and their heirs at the Army Multipurpose Hall at Dhaka Cantonment yesterday.Hasina said those force members who joined the Liberation War in 1971 were not given allowance as they were in-service at that time. “All of them went on retirement and their families are now in much need ... we will start providing allowance to them from January next,” she said.In this connection, the premier mentioned that the demand is raised every year when she meets the veterans on the Armed Forces Day. “So we have decided to give it,” she said. Pointing out that her government did whatever necessary for the valiant freedom fighters, the prime minister said: “Within our limited capacity, we’re trying to give dignity to those who took part in the Liberation War and embraced martyrdom.”Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman delivered the welcome address at the function. Liberation War Affairs Minister Mozammel Haque, PM’s security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddiq, Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Haque, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmad and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar and high ranking civil and military officials were present.Hasina presented honorarium cheques and gifts including mobile phones and tabs to the successors of seven Birshreshthos as well as other gallantry award-recipients. The prime minister also handed over Shantikalin Padak (peacetime medals) to 12 armed forces members and Osamanya Seba Padak (outstanding service medals) among 14 armed forces officers in recognition to their heroic role in war and peacetime.