The Supreme Court yesterday stayed till October 30 a High Court verdict that had directed the government to recognise 2,367 members of the guerrilla force, who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 19 71, as freedom fighters.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order following a petition filed by the government seek-inga stay on the HC verdict.

The chamber judge also sent the stay petition to the full bench of the apex court for its hearing on October 30.

The HC on September 8 directed the government to recognise 2,367 members of the guerrilla force and also ordered to give them proper status, dignity and facilities of the freedom fighters.

Responding to a writ petition filed by Pankaj Bhattacharya, a deputy commander of the guerrilla force, on January 19 last year, the HC declared illegal the government's decision voiding recognition of the guerrilla fighters as freedom fighters on October29,2014.

The special guerrilla force was formed with leaders and activists of the National Awami Party (NAP), Communist Party and Chhatra Union after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence of the country on March 26, 1971, said peti-

tioner's lawyer Subrata Chowdhury earlier.

The liberation war affairs ministry issued a gazette in July 2013, proclaiming members of the guerilla force, including Comrade Moni Singh and NAP President Prof Mozaffar Ahmed, freedom fighters. The two were advisers to the government-in-exile in 1971.

The government, as recommended by Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council, the central platform of freedom fighters, cancelled their recognition in 2014, which was illegal, the lawyer said. The liberation war affairs ministry cancelled its 2013 notification since the members of the guerrilla force had been given recognition under the banners of organisations like NAP, CPB and Chhatra Union.