Female freedom fighters yesterday called on the government to set up special tribunals to try war criminals and anti-liberation forces.

They also urged the administration to ensure that no religion-based political parlies get registered with the Election Commission and to bar them from contesting elections.

The freedom fighters broke down in tears al a reunion where they recounted their sufferings during the country’s liberation war.

Mohila Muktijoddha Sangsad, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha and Institute for Environment and Development (IED) jointly organised the reunion at Chhayanot building at Dhanmondi in the city.

Chaired by Dr Magduma Nargis Ratna, the meeting was addressed by, among others, Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar, Mill Rahman, wife of Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman, Numan Ahmed Khan, executive director at I ED, Rokeya Kabir, executive director of Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha and Sahara Khatun, Awami League leader and vice president of Mohila Muktijoddha Sangsad.

The speakers said female freedom fighters’ contributions towards the liberation war were never properly recognised and they were not given due honour and respect either.

. 4K Khandakar said,". Ferpaje freedom fighters directly took part in the liberation war, (hey provided food and shelter for other freedom fighters and even collected information on the location of Pakistani army and their local militia."

Hasna Banu, a freedom fighter in her seventies, said antiliberation war forces must be tried. "We're ready to sacrifice anything, even our lives to bring the war criminals to justice", she said with an emotion-choked voice.

She said sometimes she had to live on leaves when camped in rhe jungles during (he war.

"No one gave me shelter when I returned after (he war," she said adding that freedom fighters "freed the country in order to live happily, but now I do have neither food nor shelter".

Mili Rahman said, "We should be united to complete the task of (he freedom fighters in a bid to build a happy and prosperous nation." She urged all to be united in order to bring the war criminals to justice.

Female freedom fighters Dr Laila Parvin Banu, Nurjanan Khan, Krishna Rahman. Jannatul Ferdaus and Zinnatunnesa Talukder also recounted their war memories.