Sixteen more Biranganas (war heroines) have been recognised as freedom fighters for their sacrifice in the country's Liberation War in 1971.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs issued a gazette in this regard on September 1.

With these 16, a total of 146 women have been honoured as freedom fighters in phases by the government.

The government for the first time in October last year recognised 41 Biranganas as freedom fighters.

The process of recognising Biranganas as freedom fighters began after a High Court order on January 27, 2014.

Once recognised, the Biranganas will receive the same benefits as the freedom fighters do - a monthly allowance ofTk 10,000, special quotas in the government jobs and many more benefits for their children and grandchildren.

Around 200 applications from Biranganas are now under scrutiny of Jatiya Muktijoddha Council, the central platform of freedom fighters. The government will give them the status of freedom fighters in phases once the scrutiny is done.

At least 1.62 lakh women were raped, and another 1.31 lakh Hindu women went missing during the Liberation War, according to the War Crimes Facts and Findings Committee led by Dr M Hassan. The Hindu women are believed to have been raped and killed in the Pakistani army camps.

The newly recognised freedom fighters are - Late Tittho Bala of Thakurgaon, late Sabitri Chackraborty and Nistara Bibi of Satkhira, Sukuron Nesa of Chuadanga, Hafiza Bewya and Somla Bewya of Sherpur, Sapton Bawya of Gaibandha, Rashida Begum of

Gopalganj, Rokeya Begum of Sylhet, Kanon Gomej of Barisal, Minara Bagum of Moulavibazar, Sandhya Gosh of Habiganj, Afia Begum of Comilla, Shafali Begum and Bimola Rani Sarker of Natorte and Amicha Begum of Lalmonirhat.