Abu Taher, Ramganj Correspondent:
Former tax commissioner Sultan Mahmud of Ramganj Upazila of Lakshmipur has been accused of abusing his power and including his name in the Freedom Fighter Gazette, citing his high-ranking position in the government despite not having participated in the Liberation War.
This matter, when the news spread among various freedom fighters of the local Ramganj Upazila on September 9 (Friday), it created extreme anger and various criticisms in all quarters across the upazila. In this regard, several brave freedom fighters have applied to the Ministry of Freedom Fighters Affairs, Jamuka, Laxmipur Deputy Commissioner, Ramganj Upazila Executive Officer to cancel the freedom fighter gazette of former Tax Commissioner Sultan Mahmud. In view of their application, the Ministry of Freedom Fighters and Laxmipur Deputy Commissioner have directed the Upazila Executive Officer and the Upazila Freedom Fighter Verification Committee to verify all the issues of his liberation war and submit a report immediately.
According to sources, listed freedom fighters Tosaddek Hossain and Abdur Rob filed an application on August 2, 2022, to the Upazila Executive Officer, District Commissioner and Jamuka, seeking cancellation of the gazette of former Labour Commissioner Sultan Mahmud's Liberation War. They mentioned in their complaint that they have cordial relations with all those who participated in the Liberation War and know each other. But Sultan Mahmud was staying in Maijdi, Noakhali at that time. He did not participate in the Liberation War and did not cooperate with the freedom fighters.
Even then, due to the fact that he was the highest tax officer of that country, the Tax Commissioner, the Ministry of Freedom Fighters included his name in Gazette No. 54 of the Freedom Fighters List. Tosaddek Hossain Manik Mal, a member of the verification committee, said, "We fought with our lives, the Liberation War is our consciousness, we have snatched the red-green flag of independence through many sacrifices, the spirit of the Liberation War will not be allowed to be forgotten anywhere in the 56 thousand square miles of independent Bengal." Sultan Mahmud did not fight the Liberation War, he became a freedom fighter immorally in exchange for money after the Liberation War. Former commander of the Ramganj Upazila Freedom Fighters Command Council, AKM Ruhul Amin, said, "I do not know where Sultan Mahmud fought." During the war, Deputy Commander Abul Hossain Sufi said, "During the war, I was in constant contact and gave instructions to all the camps and groups in the Ramganj-Chatkhil area." But Sultan Mahmud was nowhere to be found. As the accused former Labour Commissioner Sultan Mahmud was out of the country, it was not possible to take his statement.
Upazila Executive Officer Umme Habiba Mira, president of the verification committee, said that as per the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner, an investigation is underway under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner of the Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner's Office to verify whether Sultan Mahmud is a real freedom fighter.
