Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) yesterday handed over 13 newly-built houses to 13 valiant Ansar freedom fighters and their families at Mujibnagar in Meherpur, says a press release.

The recipients included martyred ansar Waliul Islam Bir Protik and 12 ansars for offering guard of honour to the first head of state of the exiled interim government of Bangladesh at the very beginning of liberation war in 1971.

The 12 are Ansar Commander Yaad Ali, Assistant Commander Md Mohiuddin and ansars Md Nazrul Islam, Md Mofizuddin, Md Sirajul Islam, Md Asir Ali Mollick, Md Azimuddin Sheikh, Fakir Mohammad, Md Liaqat Ali, Md Hamidul Haque, Md Kismat Ali, Md Saheb Ali or their family members.

The two-room houses were handed over to each of them at a function held on the occasion of the district rally of Ansar and VDP at Mujibnagar.

Ansar and VDP director general (DG) Major General M Akbar Akter was present as chief guest while the director of training of Ansar and VDP and Khulna Range commander and Meherpur police superintendent (SP) were present as special guests.

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Dhirendra Nath Sarker presided over the function. Over 200 team leaders and members attended.

Each house was built at a cost of Tk 2 lakh donated by own fund of Ansar-VDP.

The chief guest also distributed television, sewing machine, and other prizes among the team leaders in recognition to their commendable jobs.

Meherpur Pourasabha chairman Alhaj Mutasim Billah and Mujibnagar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) were also present.