Amir Hamza’s Independence Award revoked

The government has removed the name of Amir Hamza from the list of winners of the Independence Award.

The Cabinet Division on Friday issued a revised list of nine individuals and one organisation for the award.

The decision comes after reports began to surface that Hamza was a key suspect in a murder case of 1978. He was sentenced to life in prison but later acquitted on “political grounds”.

On March 15, the government announced the winners of this year’s Independence Awards, including Amir Hamza. He had been awarded posthumously.

This year’s winners are Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, Martyr Colonel Khandaker Nazmul Huda (Bir Bikram), Abdul Jalil, Siraj Uddin Ahmed, Late Mohammad Sahiuddin Bishwas, Late Sirajul Haque, Kanak Kanti Barua, Md Kamrul Islam, Kamrul Islam, and Syed Moinul Islam.

Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute has been nominated for Research and Training category.