Fake ‘July Fighters’ Exposed

As many as 104 individuals have been officially recognised as July Fighters despite not having any involvement in the July Uprising. Those who actually took part in the movement have branded them as fake July Fighters. The government has since identified these individuals and decided to revoke their gazette notifications.

In addition to these 104 fake names across the country’s eight divisions, 23 others were found to have been gazetted multiple times. One of each duplicate entry will be cancelled.

Officials from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs stated that while the gazette listed these people as “injured July Fighters,” in reality, they were neither injured nor directly involved in the uprising. They obtained the recognition through fraudulent means. The concerned district committees have recommended the cancellation of these false entries.

According to ministry sources:

Mymensingh Division: 20 fake names, 1 duplicate entry

Sylhet Division: 26 fake names, 1 duplicate entry

Chattogram Division: 34 fake names, 4 duplicate entries

Khulna Division: 5 fake names, 4 duplicate entries

Rangpur Division: 2 fake names

Dhaka Division: 7 fake names, 7 duplicate entries

Rajshahi Division: 9 fake names, 4 duplicate entries

Barishal Division: 2 duplicate entries

In total, 127 gazette entries will be annulled—104 fake fighters and 23 duplicate entries. The interim government has already approved the cancellation through an official circular.

Among those identified, the Mymensingh Division’s 20 fake July Fighters include:
Syed Tariqul Islam (Gazette No. 80), Mohammad Nurul Amin (88), Tanvir Ahmed (121), Asiya Khatun (123), Ruhul Amin (127), Md Ami Hasan Rupom (129), Mohammad Akib Talukdar (146), Md Sujan Mia (155), Md Imon Shaharia (165), Ashraful Islam Jasam (172), Mushfiqur Rahman (197), Md Sajib (198), Sohag Mia (199), Rubel Mia (362), Mohammad Jasim Uddin (363), Rabbi Hasan Srini (565), Mohammad Azharul Islamik (566), Md Abu Farid Ahmed (567), Afrina Jannat (570), and Majharul Islam (648).

In the Dhaka Division, seven fake July Fighters and seven duplicate entries were found, including: Rasel (670), Khondoker Raj (1063), Rafiul Nayeem (1161), Rashedul Islam Onik (1163), Abdullah Al Rahat (1166), Md Manjumul Alam Jisan (1932), Md Saiful Islam Shuvo (2682), Riazul Hasan (2838), Belayet Hossain Shaheen (2839), Mujibur Mridha (3964), Jihad (3413), Md Rafiqul Sardar (733), Md Masudur Rahman (645), Mosha Rumi (3431), and Md Riaz Sharif (1382).

The Chattogram Division had the highest number—35 fake names, including: Md Sagor (328), Abdullah Al Noman (469), Naim Uddin Shaid (492), Md Shariful Islam (515), Shahadat Iqbal Tahni (521), Tahmina Ikrar Tarki (522), Mahabi Tajwar (534), Jasim Uddin (542), Md Atikul Islam (552), Md Yasin (560), Arfatul Islam (595), Farhad Alam (601), Modassad Sahad Kabir Emran (603), Munjamirul Haque Chowdhury Mamur (616), Pathan Chandra Nath (622), Mishkat-Alam Riad (675), Md Emran (797), Mahammad Sagor (768), Nurullah (789), Sohammad Rafi (799), Foysal Mohammad Shias (802), Mosha Isnia Akter (824), Md Mainuddin (825), Saimon (973), Md Arif (1976), Rasel (1986), Ramzan Ali (987), Mahim Chowdhury (999), and Rifat Bin Al (1999).

The government came under heavy criticism after it was revealed that many who were not involved in the July Uprising were nonetheless receiving state benefits and allowances as July Fighters. In response, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam, Bir Protik, announced that all proven fraudulent entries would be removed and legal action taken against those involved.

According to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, there are currently:

602 severely injured (Category A)

1,118 seriously injured (Category B)

12,080 moderately injured (Category C)

844 killed, of whom 8 have already had their gazettes cancelled.
Altogether, 14,636 names have been officially gazetted as July Fighters.

Mohammad Faruk Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Ministry and Acting Director of the July Uprising Directorate, said,
“After thorough verification, we have found evidence confirming the allegations. The gazettes of these fake fighters will be cancelled, and legal proceedings will follow. The cancellation process is already under way.”

When asked whether the government would recover the financial benefits received by fake fighters, he replied,
“First, we will cancel their gazettes. Once that is done, the rest will follow.”

Khaborwala/MAZ