Sayedee case complainant Manik Pashari dies

Manik Pashari, an 87-year-old freedom fighter who filed a case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee over crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, died at his son-in-law’s house in Tungipara, Gopalganj, on Saturday (October 24), with local Jamaat leaders and supporters allegedly opposing his burial in Pirojpur.

Pashari had been living in hiding since August 5, 2024, and had been ill for the past two months, family sources said.

His body was brought to Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parishad around noon for a state guard of honour, but the family alleged they faced obstruction. After waiting for several hours, he was accorded the honour inside Pirojpur Police Lines around 5PM before his body was handed over to the family.

The family also alleged that a grave prepared for him at his village home in Chitlia was filled with soil again by local people within an hour, raising concerns over where he could be buried.

Pashari’s son-in-law, Faruk Hossain, said the family had waited until 5PM for the guard of honour but received no assurance from the administration regarding the burial arrangements.

Pirojpur district Jamaat Assistant Secretary Abdur Razzak claimed Pashari was a “fake freedom fighter” and said he would not be allowed a guard of honour or burial in Pirojpur.

Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shariful Islam and Sadar Upazila Election Officer Md Iftekharul Islam Shamim confirmed that Pashari had received a guard of honour with state honours. The OC said further legal action was being processed.