Fear lingers for freedom fighter Manik Pashari's family in Pirojpur, daughter and sister spend nights at relatives' homes

Since the incident in which Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists obstructed the burial of freedom fighter Manik Pashari, intense fear has prevailed among his family members. Out of fear, the deceased's daughter and step-sister are unable to stay in their own home and are taking shelter at relatives' houses at night.

The deceased Manik Pashari's daughter Shimu said these things on Saturday (31 October). Shimu said that right after her father's burial, she had left for Gopalganj with her mother. She returned to the family home in Chithlia village of Pirojpur last Thursday, but her mother Monoara Begum is still staying at another sister's house in Gopalganj.

Shimu said that although they have not received any direct threat, they remain mentally anxious because of the unpleasant situation at the time of the burial. She said, 'That is why I stay at a relative's house at night. And my aunt Hena Begum also stays at night at her own daughter's or son's house in the same village.'

Shimu said their house was set on fire after the Awami League government was ousted on 5 August 2024. She then moved to Gopalganj with her parents, sister and brother-in-law. From three months after the incident, she began coming home occasionally, staying for a few days with her only son before returning to Gopalganj.

Visiting Manik Pashari's house, the atmosphere in the area appeared normal. Ordinary people were going about their daily work and the presence of people at tea stalls was also normal. However, no one in the area showed interest in speaking about Manik Pashari. Several locals said they did not want to speak out for fear of getting into trouble if they talked about Manik Pashari. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said no one had intimidated or threatened them and the atmosphere in the area was calm. A cousin of the deceased said they were moving around the area without hindrance and had no problems.

Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Radheshyam Sarkar said, 'No one has made any verbal or written complaint about the concerns of Manik Pashari's family members. However, police are regularly patrolling the area to avoid any kind of untoward incident.'

The 87-year-old freedom fighter Manik Pashari went into hiding after the political changeover of 5 August. He died on 24 October while in hiding in Tungipara.

Later, when preparations were made to give him a 'guard of honour' at the Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parishad premises, Jamaat-backed activists allegedly raised objections. He was later given state honours amid tight security at the Police Lines and his burial was completed late at night under police guard. The incident spread on social media and sparked intense discussion across the country.

Notably, former Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Delawar Hossain Sayeedi was sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity in 1971. Freedom fighter Manik Pashari was one of the most important witnesses in that much-discussed case. Later, on the night of 14 August 2023, Delawar Hossain Sayeedi died while undergoing treatment in prison custody.