Free bus tickets for freedom fighters

A transport company has offered freedom fighters free of cost travel between Dhaka and Iliatganj in Comilla.

The bus service of Bangladesh Shahid Minar Paribahan was inaugurated by Liberation War affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haq in front of the National Press Club in the capital.

Company chairman Abdul Quddus, its directors Mamtaz Mian and Manirul Haq Mantu and eminent freedom fighters were present on the occasion. A brief discussion also was organised at the VIP lounge of The National Club.

Shahid Minar Paribahan will run four buses between Dhaka and Iliatganj in Comilla. Six more buses will join the fleet soon.

Freedom fighters would be able to travel by the buses for free showing their identity cards. But a general passenger would have to pay Tk 100 fare for a trip.

Addressing the discussion, AKM Mozammel Haq lauded the initiative from a private sector and said the ministry for liberation war affairs would give all assistance to such moves.

He said the present government has taken various steps to increase social dignity of freedom fighters.

The steps include increasing monthly allowance to Tk 10 thousand from July next and building residential houses for freedom fighters, he added.

Bangladesh Shahid Minar Paribahan Chairman Abdul Quddus said Tk 500 would be donated from the income of every bus for the welfare of families of the martyrs through the ministry of liberation war affairs.