Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque today told the parliament that certificates of 10,000 fake freedom fighters -- included in the list of freedom fighters during the last BNP government till 2010 -- have been cancelled.

In a written answer, the minister also informed the House that the number of gazetted freedom fighters in the country is 1,83,560.

Some 10,000 certificates that were included between 2002 to 2010 in the civil gazette list, have been cancelled after evaluation, he said.

The process of verification and selection regarding the new inclusion of freedom fighters and cancellation of the names of the accused persons is underway.

Freedom fighters to get digital certificates

Responding to a question from Awami League MP Benjir Ahmed, the minister said the government will provide digital certificates (permanent certificates) for the valiant freedom fighters while smart cards will be given among living freedom fighters.

The minister also said after being prepared, the digital certificates will be provided simultaneously across the country through Union Nirbahi Officers.

He said the effectiveness of temporary issued certificates has been suspended.

State honour for families Of 1,700 Indian Armed Forces members

Replying to a question from Mamunur Rashid Kiran of Noakhali-3, the minister said the government has decided to give state honours to the families of 1,700 members of the Indian Armed Forces for their contribution to the Liberation War.

As part of this, 13 families have been honoured. The rest of the crests of honour have been kept in a vault at Bangladesh Bank.

When the coronavirus situation gets better, the crests will be delivered to the recipients' families, the minister also said.

The question-answer session was tabled with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury presiding over the House sitting.