7 years on, Sherpur Freedom Fighters Complex remains unused

SHERPUR, BOGURA, Oct 3: A three-storey Freedom Fighters Complex built in Sherpur Upazila of Bogura at a cost of nearly Tk 2 crore has remained largely unused seven years after it was handed over in 2019.

The main gate of the building now remains locked, while weeds have grown around the premises. Parts of the boundary wall have collapsed and cracks have appeared in some places. Several items from the building have also reportedly been stolen after it was vandalised, according to the convenor of Upazila Freedom Fighters' Council.

A recent visit found no regular activities taking place inside the complex. No night guard or other staff responsible for the building was found there.

The building was constructed on 3,500 square feet of land under the Upazila Freedom Fighters Complex Construction Project at a contract value of Tk 1.94 crore.

The first and second floors have a market, while the third floor has facilities for offices, a library, conference room and museum. The market has six shops. A 1,200-watt solar panel system was also installed as an alternative power source.

Under the government plan, the complex was supposed to be used for the organisational and official activities of freedom fighters, meetings and seminars, preservation of memories of the Liberation War and programmes marking national days.

Income from renting or leasing shops and rooms was also supposed to be deposited into a welfare fund for freedom fighters. But the building is not being regularly used for these purposes.

There are 181 listed freedom fighters in the upazila, of whom 92 have died. More than 100 July fighters are also under the same ministry, according to local officials.

Md Obaidur Rahman, Convenor of the Sherpur Upazila Freedom Fighters' Council, said there were hardly any activities at the complex after it was handed over because there was no committee.

After a new ad hoc committee was formed in 2025, some of the shops were rented out, but those also closed after August 5, he said.

He said a generator, solar equipment, a water pump, Thai glass and electrical wires had been stolen from the building after it was vandalised.

"As there was no one to look after the building permanently, this situation developed. A person from a neighbouring house used to keep an eye on the building," he said.

Several local residents said some activities had taken place at the complex for a while after its construction, but there has been little regular movement of people there in recent years.

They demanded that the building be cleaned and regular activities resumed soon.
Sherpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiduzzaman Himu said he recently inspected the complex with freedom fighters and the extent of damage had been assessed. "Steps are being taken to repair the building soon so that the freedom fighters can use it," he said.

The UNO said they had not yet received any instructions on allowing July fighters to use the building.
"Restoring the entire building will require a substantial amount of money. We have written to the ministry in this regard. The matter will be considered if funds are allocated later," he said.