Sitting from left, freedom fighters Razia Khatun, Pushparani Shuklaboiddya, Maloti Rani Shuklaboiddya, Heeramoni Santal, Sabitri and Fariza Khatun, all of Habiganj, at a programme Bangla daily the Prothom Alo organised to honour them at its office in the capital yesterday. Standing behind are their decorated comrades. Photo: Star

Razia Khatun was in her early teens in 1971 but that did not stop her from rising against the Pakistani occupation forces to protect her motherland.
In the battlefield in Habiganj, she used to transport grenades hidden inside jackfruits for freedom fighters. On several occasions she feigned madness to confuse the Pakistani army and save herself.
Now in her fifties, the freedom fighter was honoured alongside five of her female comrades of Habiganj at a ceremony organised by Bangla daily Prothom Alo at its office in the capital.
The others are Pushparani Shuklaboiddya, Heeramoni Santal, Fariza Khatun, Sabitri and Maloti Rani Shuklaboiddya who actively took part in the Liberation War or were held captive and tortured, some even with their infants, by the Pakistani army.
The women were given Tk 50,000 each along with a certificate of recognition.
Speaking at the reception, Fariza said, “I received nothing but a certificate issued by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman acknowledging my sacrifice.”
Although she lost her left foot in the battlefield, she never could afford a prosthetic one until Prothom Alo provided it last month, she said between sobs. The newspaper also gave an additional Tk 20,000 for her rehabilitation.
As the women lived in utter oblivion battered by poverty for above four decades, they became very suspicious about any recognition, said Keya Chowdhury who searched out the women forgotten by the country's people.
Moreover, society had isolated the women who had been held by the Pakistani army. “I had to struggle for months to gain their confidence,” said Keya, secretary general of Chetana '71 Habiganj which is documenting the Liberation War's history.
The certificates and cheques were handed over by freedom fighters Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam, Azizur Rahman Bir Uttam, Shahabuddin Ahmed Bir Uttam, Akram Ahmed Bir Uttam, SIM Nurunnabi Khan Bir Bikram, Jamil D Ahsan Bir Protik and Wakar Hasan Bir Protik.
Hameeda Hossain, chairman, and Shaheen Anam, executive director, Ain o Salish Kendra; Advocate Salma Ali, executive director, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association; actress Kabori Sarwar; Ayesha Khanam, chairperson, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; and educationist Rasheda K Choudhury were present.