Vow to protect interest of 'neglected war heroes'
"This is an initiative for those freedom fighters whose concerns remain unattended by the existing organisations," said Mahbubuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, chairman of the Parishad, at a press conference at the National Press Club.
He said that his organisation would earn trust of the common people through mobilisation of the freedom fighters.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He also said that they formed this organisation as the other organisations could not address the interests, issues and concerns of all the freedom fighters.
Ahmed, also the chairman of Muktijoddha Oikya Parishad, said that an alliance was not effective in organising the freedom fighters.
The war heroes have been subject to heightened repression since the BNP-led four-party alliance took over, he said.
"The anti-liberation Jamaat-e-Islami, a major partner of the ruling alliance, has strengthened its position with the patronage of Khaleda Zia and now dreams of ascending to power," Ahmed said while reading out a written statement.
Contrary to the ideals of freedom fighters, the country today is afflicted with hunger, poverty, corruption, terrorism, anarchy, bomb blasts, extra-judicial killings and rape, he said.
Parishad leaders Khondker Abdul Baten, Major (retd.) Ziauddin, advocate Shamsul Alam Dudu, Syed Shahiduddin and F Zakir Khan were also present.