Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) has decided to revoke the second highest gallantry title 'Bir Uttam' decorated with the BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman for his role as a sector commander during the Liberation War.
The panel has also recommended to strip four self-proclaimed Bangabandhu killers of the state-award.
The four others are: Bir Uttam Shariful Huq Dalim, Bir Bikram SHMB
Nur Chowdhury, Bir Pratik AM Rashed Chowdhury and Bir Pratik Mosleh
Uddin.
The decision was taken at the 72nd meeting of Jamuka held in city's Scout Bhaban on Tuesday, said Shahjahan Khan, a Jamuka member and Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Liberation War Affairs Ministry.
The ministry will publish a gazette in this regard.
Shariful Huq Dalim (left), Mosleh Uddin, AM Rashed Chowdhury and SHMB Nur Chowdhury.
bdnews24.com adds: Zia is being stripped of the title for defying the constitution, assisting the self-proclaimed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in fleeing the country and posting them on important state positions, according to an official. ‘Bir Uttam’ is the second highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh after ‘Bir Sreshtha’.
Once the titles are revoked, these people and their families will not receive any national benefit for their contribution in the Liberation War.
The 'Swadhinata Padak', or Independence Award for Gen Zia was removed from the National Museum in 2016 after the Cabinet Committee on National Awards withdrew the award posthumously conferred on him.
In 2003, when the BNP-Jamaat coalition was in power, the award was bestowed on the country’s first military ruler.
Taslim elected HAAB president
Keep civil society, media people in DSA amendment process: TIB
80 victims of extrajudicial killings in 2021: ASK
Russell commits suicide from depression, assume police 
Covid positivity rate rises to 2.74%, 2 more die
Movement to topple govt gaining momentum: Fakhrul
One dies at RMCH Covid unit
Nation set to welcome New Year 2022