The body of Manik Pashari, an 87-year-old freedom fighter who filed a case against Delawar Hossain Sayeedi over alleged crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, remained at Pirojpur Police Lines on Saturday night as a dispute over his burial continued. Police said his body was being kept in a refrigerated vehicle inside the police compound, while Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists were reported to be gathered outside.

Pashari died at around 10am on Saturday, 24 October, while receiving treatment at a hospital in Gopalganj. His family alleged that local Jamaat leaders obstructed preparations to accord him a guard of honour, delaying the process and leaving relatives waiting for several hours.

According to the family, they took his body to the upazila executive officer at around noon, expecting the authorities to arrange the ceremonial tribute traditionally given to recognised freedom fighters. However, they said they had to wait until approximately 5pm before the guard of honour was eventually provided inside Pirojpur Police Lines.

Faruk Hossain, Pashari’s son-in-law, described the delay and expressed concern about the handling of the body and the uncertainty surrounding the burial.

He said the family had been forced to keep the body in an ordinary ambulance without ice for several hours while waiting for the formalities to be completed. He also alleged that the administration had not taken responsibility for arranging the burial, leaving the family anxious about where and when they would be able to lay him to rest.

The guard of honour was eventually given at around 5pm inside the police compound. The ceremony took place away from the public gathering outside, according to the information provided by the family.

Abdur Razzak, assistant secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Pirojpur district unit, disputed Pashari’s status as a freedom fighter. He described him as a fake freedom fighter and said he would not be allowed to be buried on Pirojpur soil.

The opposing positions have left the family facing uncertainty over the burial arrangements. The disagreement centres on Pashari’s status as a recognised freedom fighter and the demand by local Jamaat leaders to prevent his burial in the district.

At around 10pm on Saturday, Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shariful Islam said the body was still being kept in a refrigerated vehicle at Police Lines. He added that the administration was trying to arrange Pashari’s burial at his family home.

According to the officer, officials were holding discussions with locally respected individuals and political leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami in an effort to resolve the dispute. He did not indicate when an agreement might be reached.

Pashari was a resident of Chitalia village, Ward No. 4, in Shankarpasha Union under Pirojpur Sadar upazila. Following 5 August 2024, he had been staying with his son-in-law in Tungipara, Gopalganj, where he remained until his death. He had reportedly suffered from several health complications over the preceding two months.

The incident has raised concerns over the difficulties faced by the family in arranging the burial of an elderly man whose status as a freedom fighter is being challenged by local political figures. The administration’s efforts to reach a resolution were continuing late on Saturday, while his body remained at Police Lines.