PIROJPUR — Following widespread tension and local opposition, the burial of freedom fighter Manik Pashari—the plaintiff in a crimes against humanity case against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi—took place under challenging circumstances. With daytime resistance halting funeral preparations, his grieving daughter and sisters were eventually forced to dig his grave by mobile phone flashlight late at night.
According to family members, Pashari had been staying with his son-in-law in Tungipara, Gopalganj, following the political shift on August 5, 2024, and had been suffering from physical illness for the past two months. He passed away around 10:00 AM on Saturday at his relative’s home in Tungipara.
His body was brought to Pirojpur on Saturday afternoon. When the body was taken to the Sadar Upazila Council premises for a state-awarded Guard of Honour, local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists gathered, creating obstacles regarding the burial and state honors.
Considering the volatile situation, the ambulance carrying the body was escorted by police to the Pirojpur Police Lines, where journalists and others were barred entry citing security reasons. Authorities later stated that Pashari was accorded a Guard of Honour, though specific details regarding the timing and venue were not disclosed. Family members expressed deep anxiety, alleging a lack of necessary administrative support regarding his final rites.
Family members stated they faced uncertainty over where the burial could safely take place. Local sources reported that supporters gathered at various points between the police lines and Shankarpasha as the family attempted to proceed with home burial arrangements.
Pirojpur District Jamaat Assistant Secretary Abdur Razzaq claimed that Manik Pashari was a “fake freedom fighter” and stated that he would neither be allowed a Guard of Honour nor permitted to be buried on Pirojpur soil.
Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shariful Islam confirmed that the Guard of Honour was provided and noted that subsequent legal actions are underway. Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Iftekharul Islam Shamim echoed that state honors were duly executed.
Manik Pashari, a resident of Chitlia village in Shankarpasha Union, Pirojpur Sadar, originally filed the war crimes case against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi and four others on August 12, 2009, which was later integrated into the primary tribunal proceedings.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 25 Oct 2026, 16:00.
