Twenty four more Biranganas (war heroines) have been recognised as freedom fighters for their sacrifice in the country’s Liberation War in 1971.
The government issued a gazette in this regard on November 17.
With these 24, a total of 170 women have been honoured as freedom fighters in phases by the government.
The government for the first time in October last year recognised 41 Biranganas as freedom fighters.
Birangana (war heroine) Roma Chowdhury with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Once recognised, the Biranganas will receive the same benefits as the freedom fighters do — a monthly allowance, special quotas in the government jobs and many more benefits for their children and grandchildren.
At least 1.62 lakh women were raped, and another 1.31 lakh Hindu women went missing during the Liberation War, according to the War Crimes Facts and Findings Committee led by Dr M Hassan. The Hindu women are believed to have been raped and killed in the Pakistani army camps.
The newly recognised freedom fighters are — Anawara Begum and Ayshea Begum of Rangpur, Aleya begum and Nurjahan Begum of Barisal, Kalima Begum and Aleya Begum of Sylhet, Fulzan Begum, Hanufa Begum and Momtaj Begum of Dhaka, Afiya Khatun of Comilla, Sona Bala, Jamela Khatun and Maya Rani of Pabna, Delo Bewa, Saleha Bewa, Bosiron Begum, Taru Bala, Fatema Begum, Koteja Begum, Khuki Begum, Mojida Begum, Gendi Bewa and Rahima Khatun of Kurigram and Momena Begum of Chudanga.
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