[🇧🇩] Those who have laid down their lives to free Bangladesh

[Saif]

Each martyr family to get Tk 30 lakh: Prof Yunus

Vows to rehabilitate them; govt to bear all expenses of uprising injured

www.thedailystar.net

Each martyr family to get Tk 30 lakh: Prof Yunus
Vows to rehabilitate them; govt to bear all expenses of uprising injured

Photo: UNB

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today said each martyr's family will get Tk 30 lakh from the government, reiterating that his government will rehabilitate families of all mass-uprising martyrs and bear the full expanses of the treatment of all the injured.

In a televised address to the nation, he said the Health Ministry has already prepared a comprehensive list for the long-term and expensive treatment of the injured and looking after the families of the martyrs.

"Families of all the martyrs of the mass uprising will be rehabilitated and no one will be left out," he said.

At the beginning of his speech, the chief adviser remembered the millions of martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and all those martyrs of the uprising of the student-worker-mass movement against 'fascism' in July-August.

Prof Yunus said the government took steps to bring corneas from Nepal for the treatment of those who lost their eyesight suffering pellet injury in the mass uprising.

The chief adviser said some deserving injured have also been sent abroad for better treatment under government initiatives.

No martyrs and injured students and workers of the July uprising will be left out of rehabilitation plans and healthcare, he said, adding that this is the commitment made by the interim government.

Prof Yunus said the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, formed to preserve the memory of the martyrs of this mass uprising, has started its works with full momentum. The government has given a grant of TK 100 crore to this foundation.

He said the social welfare ministry has sent a proposal of $5 million allocation to the World Bank through the Economic Relations Division to ensure the rehabilitation of the families of the martyrs and the best treatment of the injured in the July-August revolution.​

 

[Saif]

Consider me as an adviser from Rangpur: Dr Yunus

The chief adviser enquired about the health condition of Abu Sayed's parents and assured them of all support from the government.

en.prothomalo.com

Consider me as an adviser from Rangpur: Dr Yunus
BSS
Dhaka
Published: 28 Nov 2024, 19: 50

The chief adviser hands over the certificate of the Shahid Abu Sayed Foundation to the family members of martyr Abu Sayed on 28 November, 2024. BSS

Chief adviser Prof Yunus has said he considered himself a son of Rangpur as he was moved by the bravery and sacrifice of July uprising martyr Abu Sayed.

"Consider me as an adviser from Rangpur," said Professor Yunus while welcoming the family members of Abu Sayed at his office in Tajgaon, Dhaka.

The chief adviser handed over the certificate of the Shahid Abu Sayed Foundation to the family members of martyr Abu Sayed during a brief ceremony on the day.

Mokbul Hossain, the father of Abu Sayed, received the certificate. Liton Mia, a nephew of Abu Sayed, was also present on the occasion.

The chief adviser enquired about the health condition of Abu Sayed's parents and assured them of all support from the government.​

 

[Saif]

Daily Star’s photo exhibition ‘36 Days of July -- Saluting The Bravehearts’ begins

The event began with a one-minute silence to honour the students and people, who fought against fascism

www.thedailystar.net

Daily Star’s photo exhibition ‘36 Days of July -- Saluting The Bravehearts’ begins

The photo exhibition titled "36 Days of July -- Saluting The Bravehearts" was inaugurated today at The Daily Star Centre in the capital's Farmgate area.

The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam opened the exhibition around 3:15pm.

The event organised by The Daily Star began with a one-minute silence to honour the students and people, who fought against fascism.

Photo: Prabir Das

The exhibition pays tribute to those who lost lives, were injured, or traumatised during the revolution.

It showcases The Daily Star's coverage through stories, photos, and editorials, reflecting the sacrifices and the regime's brutality, and honours reporters and photographers who risked their lives for authentic reporting.

Photo: Prabir Das

The exhibition will run until December 7. It will be open to all from 10:00am to 8:00pm.

As part of the exhibition, a discussion on "Courage amidst crisis: Stories from volunteers of the July Uprising" will be held tomorrow while a similar programme titled "Pedagogy of Protest: A discussion with university teachers on the frontlines" will be held on Monday. Another discussion on "Woman, Life, Freedom: A dialogue on political representation of women" will take place on Tuesday.

Photo: Prabir Das/Star

Same programme titled "The Blackout Chronicles: How journalists and activists navigated the Blackout" will be held on Wednesday.

Discussion on "Marginalised Voices of the July Revolution: Stories of struggle, sacrifice and hope from workers" will take place on Thursday.

Similar programme "Write to Protest: Writers and poets on their experience of the Uprising" will take place on Saturday.​

 

[Saif]

Workers erased from July mass uprising narrative

Long-term rehabilitation and comprehensive support are neededfor the families of those killed and injured during the July uprising, speakers said at an event yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Workers erased from July mass uprising narrative
Speakers tell Star discussion

Rubi, a domestic worker, breaks down as she speaks about her son Rana Talukder, who was shot dead by police in the capital’s Uttara on August 5. She was speaking at the fifth storytelling session, “Marginalised voices of the July Revolution”, of The Daily Star’s storytelling week titled “36 days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts”. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

Long-term rehabilitation and comprehensive support are neededfor the families of those killed and injured during the July uprising, speakers said at an event yesterday.

They said many families have lost their sole breadwinners, while injured survivors are unable to return to their previous professions due to their injuries, adding that the financial assistance provided by the July Smriti Foundation is insufficient and demeaning.

They made the remarks at a discussion titled "Marginalised Voices of the July Revolution," organised by The Daily Star at its photo exhibition and storytelling week -- "36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts". It focused on the stories of struggle, sacrifice, and resilience of workers affected by the movement.

Md Jobaer Hasan recounted how his 15-year-old brother Julfiqar had been missing for six days before being found in the DMCH Burn Unit.

"His eye was completely damaged, and over 100 shotgun pellets were lodged in his body," Jobaer said.

Julfiqar's mother, who had raised her two sons with support from others, pleaded, "Doctors said his eye cannot be healed, even [if he is taken] abroad. But I want the government to help him regain his sight."

Shariful Islam, a private service holder who sustained bullet wounds on August 5, shared his experience of facingapathy from hospital authorities and the lack of state support.

He said he had to visit the July Smrity Foundation himself to receive financial aid.

Shariful said he dreams of a new Bangladesh that is free of discrimination, where everyone has enough to eat, voting rights are upheld, grassroots voices are heard, and police serve the people.

According to the speakers, 80 percent of those killed during the July uprising were not students but workers, including rickshaw-pullers, and homeless individuals. Despite their sacrifices, these communities are being erased from the narrative.

"If we fail to include them as stakeholders in building a new Bangladesh, we are not heading towards true democracy," said Mahfuzur Rahman Shamim, convener of Bangladesh Janatar Sangsad.

He criticised the tendency to label protesting marginalised groups, like battery rickshaw-pullers, as accomplices of fascists. He also saidthe government, like its predecessor, sided with RMG owners rather than the workers when discussing wages.

Asadul Islam, central office secretary of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Samhati, criticised the lack of recognition of RMG workers who played a key role in the uprising, many of whom were injured or killed.

"Their sacrifices remain unacknowledged, except for a few cases highlighted in the media," he said, calling the Tk 1 lakh compensation for injured families "alms, not compensation".

Prabir Saha, assistant general secretary of the same platform, stressed the need to honour RMG workers and implement the 18-point demands submitted to the interim government.

"The demands include attendance bonuses, minimum wage reform, an eight-hour workday, labour law reforms, and constitutional changes to ensure workers' dignity."

Rickshaw-puller Noor Muhammad recalled being forced by police to take martyredGolam Nafiz's injured body on his rickshaw on August 4.

After being turned away from hospitals, Noor eventually arranged for an autorickshaw to take Nafiz to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital.

Noor cried, "No mother should lose her child this way."

Pria Khan, a member of the Hijra community, shared how she and her peers tirelessly served at DMCH from July 17, witnessing a relentless wave of death bodies, particularly on July 19.

"There were bodies arriving on stretchers, in ambulances, and even on rickshaws. There was no one to carry them inside…. I remember a BRAC University student being brought in by ambulance. I tried to carry him inside but couldn't do it alone. I begged for help, but he died before we could take him inside."

Pria revealed the contributions of her community. "Our group of five Hijras collected 730 bags of blood, and our Guru Ma raised Tk 3 lakh in just two days for the treatment of the injured.

"Three morgues were overflowing, with bodies lying out in the open. By July 24, the stench of decay filled the air, and there wasn't even space to stand or sit. Ambulances charged Tk 10,000-15,000 to transport bodies, turning the crisis into a business. I saw more than 1,000-1,500 people die at DMCH alone, yet we still don't have an accurate death toll."

Pria also shared how her phone was snatched, videos deleted, and threats issued to silence her for documenting the atrocities.

Rubi, the mother of martyred Rana Talukder, recounted the devastating loss of her 32-year-old son, a driver by profession, who was shot dead near Uttara East Police Station on August 5.

Rana had left home that afternoon with his elder brother, Roni, to celebrate the fall of Sheikh Hasina.

"Hearing gunshots, I went out to bring them back. Rana said he'd find Roni, and they'd return home together," Rubi said, her voice breaking.

Roni later found Rana shot near the police station. He was rushed to Uttara Modern Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead at 8:10pm.​

 

[Saif]

Diplomats pay tribute to July bravehearts

Diplomats of foreign missions in Bangladesh yesterday attended The Daily Star’s exhibition to pay tribute to the brave hearts of the July uprising.

www.thedailystar.net

Diplomats pay tribute to July bravehearts
Visits ’s Star exhibition on mass uprising

Diplomats of foreign missions in Bangladesh yesterday visited The Daily Star Centre in the capital to see the “36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts”, an exhibition organised by the newspaper to pay tribute to the unparalleled courage and resilience of the brave hearts of the July uprising. PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN

Diplomats of foreign missions in Bangladesh attended The Daily Star's exhibition yesterday to pay tribute to the bravehearts of the July uprising.


The event featured the screening of a documentary film produced with The Daily Star's footage and photographs, along with testimonies of its journalists who put their lives on the line to bring stories of indomitable courage to their readers.

Launched on November 30, "36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts", an exhibition of news reports and photographs, is dedicated to the martyrs and those injured during the mass uprising in July and August. The exhibition will continue till December 14.

At the special invitation of the daily, the distinguished guests started arriving at The Daily Star Centre at around 3:00pm to join the special viewing programme.

The programme commenced with the documentary film "Droher July: Shongbade, Shongrame (July of Rebellion: In News, In Battle)".

After the inauguration, the visitors explored the exhibition, moving through the photographs and news coverage on the ground floor and first floor of the building and appreciated the newspaper's coverage during the movement.

The exhibition highlights The Daily Star's coverage of this historic uprising, including editorials and commentaries, along with articles and features.

A dedicated corner was set up for guests to reflect on, and the diplomats shared their thoughts regarding the exhibition and the uprising in the visitors' book.

After visiting the exhibition, Michael Miller, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union, in his reaction told this newspaper that he was grateful to The Daily Star leadership for the invitation. He commended the photographs at the exhibition as "striking, tragic and impressive". "The European Union is here to identify how it can support the interim government at this moment of political transition in your country," he added.

In the visitors' book, he wrote, "Extremely impressive! No one can leave without a deep sense of tragedy mixed with hope and more."

Palestinian Ambassador Yousef SY Ramadan also thanked The Daily Star and said the newspaper has always contributed to everything positive for the people of Bangladesh -- something he has witnessed for the last 10 years.

"Brave, constructive and wise. If we want to talk about the uprising, I think when the people speak loudly, no one has the right to have a louder voice than the people," he said, adding that the people, led by the students, have spoken out; the decision was made; and the victory was achieved.

"Congratulations to Bangladesh! We just pray and hope that this country will enjoy total freedom, democracy, dignity, and full sovereignty in every aspect! The people of Bangladesh deserve that," he said, adding that they do deserve a better life for the future generation.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma described the exhibition as "very well curated and documented".

"It is a very important moment in the history of Bangladesh.

"Of course very poignant as to what happened during those months. We really hope that Bangladesh will have a better future. We will always be supporting a stable, democratic, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh," he said.

He hopes that the exhibition paves the way for that future and serve that purpose.

Verma wrote in the visitor's book, "Touching, well curated. Capturing History."

Gavin Tench, minister counsellor political and humanitarian, British High Commission, wrote, "Very moving!"

Chinese Embassy Political Attache Lin Yuyang in his reaction said that it was his first time to see such a whole collection of the people's strength and courage. "It will enlighten us."

He said he was in Dhaka during the July-August uprising and saw so many students and mass people from different walks of life fighting for a new Bangladesh.

"We respect the efforts of the people, and we support the interim government from the Chinese side. We hope for stability, peace and co-existence, rehabilitation and a prosperous future. We will do what we can to support the people and government of Bangladesh," he added.

Zhang Jing, political director of the Chinese embassy, wrote in the visitor's book, "A good collection of the courage and strength of BD [Bangladeshi] people."

Fasih Ullah Khan, press counsellor of the Pakistan High Commission, wrote, "Very impressive. Saw some rare pictures."

Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, also visited the exhibition yesterday.

Such "extraordinary" exhibitions need to be held around the country so that all the people can have a glimpse of the history in this momentous occasion.

"I think it brings back history into life, and it's a testimony of the bravery of this country," he said.

The sacrifices young people have made to bring back democracy and open up a new way to the progress of the country have to be carried forward.

"But what is more important that the promise made through the sacrifices has to be kept alive. We will have to bring back all those memories in order to inspire our generation in building our future Bangladesh," Bhattacharya said.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said the newspaper organised the exhibition as part of the efforts to remember and pay tribute to the fearless souls who sacrificed their lives during the "36 days of July".

Among the guests were French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy; Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Maria Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru; UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Al Hamoudi; Libyan Ambassador Mahmud MM Sallabi; Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks; Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller; Dutch Ambassador Andre Carstens; Nepalese Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari; Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro; acting high commissioner of Australia Nardia Simpson; and Moroccan Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission Majid Halem.

Besides Alberto Giovanetti, head of economic, political and communication affairs at the Swiss Embassy; Towheed Feroze, EU Embassy media and information adviser; Gokul VK, first secretary of the Indian High Commission; and Mohamed El Emam, country manager of Qatar Airways, also attended the event.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/rizvi-pledges-to-honour-victims-of-july-august-uprising

Rizvi pledges to honour victims of July-August Uprising
UNB
Published :
Dec 09, 2024 21:31
Updated :
Dec 09, 2024 21:31

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has vowed to ensure due respect for those killed during the July-August Uprising, should his party be elected to power.

He emphasised gratitude towards the martyrs and injured participants of the student movement, proposing that their sacrifices be commemorated by naming roads and structures after them to preserve their legacy.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by 'Amra BNP Paribar', an organisation that works within the party to look after the wellbeing of the families of activists. On Monday it was in Manikganj's Shibalaya to provide financial assistance to the families of those killed in police firing during the mass movement.

He said, "If you dig a hole for others, you yourself will fall into that hole, proof of which is the 'fascist' Sheikh Hasina. She herself fell into the hole while trying to establish the BAKSAL built by her father."

He further stated that Sheikh Hasina had kept the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia in prison without any crime. She fled the country, taking responsibility for the killing of 2,000 students in the face of the mass movement of students and the public. She believed that her master, the Indian government, would help her remain in power, but it could not, added Rizvi.

The BNP leader also remarked that Sheikh Hasina used to criticize Tarique Rahman for giving video messages. Today, Sheikh Hasina herself is continuing her mischief through video messages on Facebook and YouTube. "Where has her bravery gone?" he questioned.​

 

[Saif]

Identify all martyrs of the July mass uprising

How else can we honour them for their sacrifices?

www.thedailystar.net

Identify all martyrs of the July mass uprising
How else can we honour them for their sacrifices?

VISUAL: STAR

The delay in identifying hundreds of individuals killed during the July-August uprising is quite disappointing. According to a Prothom Alo report, 80 unclaimed bodies were buried in July and 34 in August at the burial ground adjacent to the Rayerbazar Mass Killing Site Memorial by the volunteer organisation Anjuman Mufidul Islam. Despite clear evidence that some of the graves at the cemetery contain the remains of those killed in the uprising, the exact number remains unknown.

Anjuman Mufidul Islam reported burying 515 unclaimed bodies between January and November, an average of 47 per month. In July, however, the number surged to 80. In August, 34 bodies were buried, with no burial requests made during the first 11 days due to the unrest. Identifying those who died in the protests requires investigation and DNA testing, but progress has been slow. As a result, many protest victims buried in Rayerbazar remain unidentified, leaving their families unable to locate their loved ones' graves or claim compensation. While some families have confirmed through personal efforts that their relatives were buried as unclaimed bodies at Rayerbazar, they remain unable to identify the specific graves.

One such victim is Mahin Mia. His brother, Abdul Jabbar, recounted that they had both participated in a protest at Town Hall in Mohammadpur on July 18. When Mahin did not return home, Abdul searched police stations and morgues in surrounding areas before learning, through photographs from Anjuman Mufidul Islam's office, that Mahin had been killed and buried in Rayerbazar. Fifteen days after Mahin's death, his wife gave birth to their only child.

One such victim is Mahin Mia. His brother, Abdul Jabbar, recounted that they had both participated in a protest at Town Hall in Mohammadpur on July 18. When Mahin did not return home, Abdul searched police stations and morgues in surrounding areas before learning, through photographs from Anjuman Mufidul Islam's office, that Mahin had been killed and buried in Rayerbazar. Fifteen days after Mahin's death, his wife gave birth to their only child. Unfortunately, such heartbreaking stories are quite common, but we are yet to have a comprehensive list of those killed during the uprising.

As of December 18, the Health Directorate's website listed the names and identities of 860 individuals who were killed. Earlier, the health subcommittee for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement reported 1,581 deaths based on available data. This discrepancy suggests that nearly half of those killed remain unidentified.

It is crucial for the government to preserve the graves of the martyrs, including those at Rayerbazar, to allow families to identify them. The government established a Special Cell on the Mass Uprising to create a final list of the deceased, and on November 10, it issued a public notice requesting relatives of individuals who were killed, went missing, were buried as unclaimed, or died during treatment between July 15 and August 5 to register their names. However, as an official from the cell has noted, no significant applications have been received.

Therefore, it is high time the government stepped up efforts to identify those killed, including through raising public awareness about the cell and dedicating further resources to this vital task. Preserving the memories and graves of these martyrs is essential to honour their sacrifices and provide closure for their families.​

 

[Saif]

First phase draft list of martyrs in uprising published

The first phase draft list of martyrs and injured in the July-August student-people uprising has been published. This draft list has been published on the website of the Special Cell on Mass Uprising https://musc.portal.gov.bd to finalize the list of the martyrs and injured, according to an offici

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

First phase draft list of martyrs in uprising published
BSS
Published :
Dec 21, 2024 20:17
Updated :
Dec 21, 2024 20:17

The first phase draft list of martyrs and injured in the July-August student-people uprising has been published.

This draft list has been published on the website of the Special Cell on Mass Uprising গণঅভ্যুত্থান সংক্রান্ত বিশেষ সেল to finalize the list of the martyrs and injured, according to an official handout on Saturday.

The Health Services Division, the Directorate General of Health Services, the District Committees formed in 64 districts and the Special Cell on Mass Uprising are working tirelessly to finalize the list of those injured and martyred in the July-August uprising.

The two published draft lists of the first phase will be available to the public until December 23, added the release.

It requested the family members, heirs and representatives of the martyrs and injured persons to give their opinion to verify, bring correction and finalize the names, addresses, and other relevant information of the martyrs and injured persons published in the two draft lists.

The handout also requested to send opinion or suggestion regarding the published list or any reasonable information for inclusion or deduction, if there is any, to the e-mail of the Special Cell on Mass Uprisings at muspecialcell36@gmail.com by December 23.​

 

[Saif]

Body of July uprising victim exhumed from Pabna graveyard

Body of a student who was a victim of July-August uprising was exhumed from the graveyard today after four and a half months at Jorgasa Shorup village in Pabna's Shanthia upazila

www.thedailystar.net

Body of July uprising victim exhumed from Pabna graveyard

Body of a student who was a victim of July-August uprising was exhumed from the graveyard today after four and a half months at Jorgasa Shorup village in Pabna's Shanthia upazila.

Deceased Julkar Naine, 17, son of Abdul Hai Al Hadi of village Nandanpur, was killed during the mass uprising on August 5 at Baipail of Savar in Dhaka. A case was filed later with the Ashulia Police Station.

Saidur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Shanthia Police Station, said that members of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters are now investigating the case.

As part of the investigation a team led by CID Inspector Mushfukur Rahman reached the graveyard and exhumed the body in presence of an executive magistrate around 11:00am, he added.

The body was sent to Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC also said.

Julkar was the student of Polashbari JL Model School and College and joined a procession along with others on that day, according to the police and family.

The victim's family members brought the body on the same night and buried him at Jorgasa graveyard on August 6 without an autopsy.​

 

[Saif]

Mass uprising: Victims, families struggle as frustrations grow

Sufferings and frustrations continue to deepen among the injured and the families of those killed in the July-August student-led mass uprising, while the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, launched on...

www.newagebd.net

Mass uprising: Victims, families struggle as frustrations grow
Kamrun Nahar Sumy 06 January, 2025, 23:46

July Shaheed Smrity Foundation yet to reach most families

Sufferings and frustrations continue to deepen among the injured and the families of those killed in the July-August student-led mass uprising, while the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, launched on September 17 to support them, has yet to reach most of those affected till now.

As of December 31, the foundation, established with an initial amount of Tk 100 crore from chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s relief and welfare fund, has provided Tk 1,00,000 each to 1,601 injured individuals, and Tk 5,00,000 each to 628 families of the martyred.

The Mass Uprising Special Cell under the Health Services Division on December 21 released a first draft list identifying 858 martyrs and 11,551 injured during the uprising that began on July 1 with protests demanding quota reform in civil service jobs and culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5.

The draft list indicates that only around 18 per cent of the victims received financial support as of December 31.

Meanwhile, injured individuals, some on crutches, from Dhaka and beyond, are repeatedly visiting the foundation office at the BSL Building in the capital, with hope to get financial assistance for various needs, including repaying treatment-related loans, covering follow-up medical expenses, or ensuring their daily meals.

Md Yasin, a 25-year-old who was shot in the leg at the capital’s Banglamotor on August 4, said on December 25 that he submitted all the required documents in November but had yet to receive any response from the foundation.

‘I had to collect and submit all the necessary documents with my wounded leg, which I cannot bend, to get immediate financial assistance, but a month has passed, and there’s still no update,’ said Yasin, who needs regular therapy costing Tk 600 per session while also supporting his family in Sunamganj.

‘It seems no one cares about us anymore,’ said the frustrated youth, who had to leave his previous job due to the injury and recently took another private car driving job for Tk 20,000 a month.

The wife of a martyr named Delwar, who was shot three times in the abdomen on July 19 in Mirpur-10 and died on July 21, has also been visiting the foundation since November. She was informed only on December 31 that there were issues with the submitted documents that needed to be fixed. ‘Coming from Mirpur Sare Egaro with three minor children is a serious hassle and costly job,’ said the widow, who has no earning member left.

Another victim, Sabbir Ahmed, a private university student, alleged on December 31 that his name was listed in the government record and that he submitted all the required documents to the foundation around a month ago.

Sabbir claimed that the foundation had been giving excuses, including getting the signatures from foundation general secretary Sarjis Alam and chief executive officer Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, for the delay in disbursing the funds.

New Age on December 25, 26 and 31, spoke to more than 20 victims who alleged a slow verification process, poor communication, misplacing files submitted for financial assistance, and delays in obtaining required signatures from the authorities as reasons for their lingering wait.

Most of them also said that they were unable to reach the foundation’s hotline, 16000, for information and faced rude behaviour from some of the staff when visiting the office to seek assistance or updates.

Acknowledging that the number of injured receiving assistance is below expectations, Sarjis Alam at a press conference at the foundation office on January 1, ‘We are checking two things: whether the victims are listed in the health ministry’s data centre and if they have submitted the required documents to the foundation. To prevent fraudulent cases, once both criteria are met and verified separately by the foundation, we disburse the funds. Thus, the process takes some time.’

‘Once the government publishes the gazette, the foundation will be able to disburse the funds within a maximum of four days, as separate verification by the foundation will no longer be necessary,’ he added.

He further said that initially the foundation gave priority to the martyrs’ families to give the assistance and as they had covered a good number of these families, they would now focus on the injured victims.

Sarjis, a key coordinator of Students Against Discrimination platform, also cited the insufficient number of employees—only 35 in total—as a reason for the delay, adding that just six members were working in the call centre run by the foundation, limiting their capacity to take calls from the victims.

Regarding the staff misbehaviour, chief executive officer Snigdho, who is also the twin brother of martyr Mir Mugdho, said that a ‘complaint box’ would be set up in front of the office to address the issue.

The non-political, voluntary, and public welfare-oriented organisation, led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus as president, was established to provide immediate healthcare, financial relief, and long-term support to the families of the martyrs and the injured of the July uprising.

As of December 31, it had disbursed Tk 47.32 crore out of its current fund of Tk 109.20 crore.​

 

[Saif]

Help for uprising victims should have already been shored up

SUFFERINGS have intensified and despair has deepened for the people who became wounded in and for the families who lost their members to the July-August uprising, with the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation — set up to provide early health care, financial assistance and long-term, sustainable...

www.newagebd.net

Help for uprising victims should have already been shored up
08 January, 2025, 00:00

SUFFERINGS have intensified and despair has deepened for the people who became wounded in and for the families who lost their members to the July-August uprising, with the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation — set up to provide early health care, financial assistance and long-term, sustainable support for the martyrs and the victims of the uprising — going slow apparently because of procedural delay, if not inefficiency, that the government has yet to adequately attend to. It has not been able to reach the help to most of the victims. The foundation was set up on September 17, 2024, a little more than a month after the interim government was installed on August 8, with an initial amount of Tk 1 billion from the chief adviser’s relief and welfare fund. The foundation has until December 31, 2024 disbursed Tk 100,000 each to 1,601 people who became wounded and Tk 0.5 million each to 628 families of the people who died in the student protests seeking reforms in civil service job reservations, spearheaded by the Students Against Discrimination, which began on July 1, 2024 and flared into an uprising later that month to ultimately topple the 15 years of the authoritarian regime of the Awami League. The amount disbursed in all reached Tk 473.2 million out its current fund of Tk 1.09 billion.

The Health Services Division on December 21, 2024 published a draft list of 858 people who died and 11,551 people who became wounded in the protests and subsequent uprising. The figures suggest that the foundation has been able to provide only about 18 per cent of the victims until December 31, 2024. Many of the wounded, some on crutches, and members of the victim families, meanwhile, keep visiting the foundation office at Shahbagh in Dhaka, seeking financial assistance mainly to repay the loans that they took to pay for their treatment, to bear the expenses of medical follow-up or even to buy their daily meals. Whilst some say that they have not yet received any help although they submitted the documents needed for the help a month ago, some say that they laboured to visit the office at intervals and only after a month or so, they are told that there were problems with the documents that needed to be sorted out. Some of the wounded having already lost their job because of the injuries and some in severe hardship having lost the only breadwinner of the family have even alleged misbehaviour of the people at the foundation. Most of them have complained that they could not call to the foundation’s hotline for information and they faced rude behaviour from some foundation staff when they had visited the office. Sarjis Alam, a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination who is the foundation’s general secretary, seeks to say that the delay is consequent on the verification of information with the data centre and the papers submitted. He also complains of a shortage of human resources, 35 in all, six of whom run the call centre.

Issues of help for the uprising victims, wounded or dead, should have already been adequately shored up in view of their sacrifice in the uprising that brought about the political changeover. They should not suffer any longer.​

 

[Saif]

July Uprising: Six bodies of martyrs found in DMCH morgue

Six bodies of martyrs from the July uprising have been found in the forensic department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

www.thedailystar.net

July Uprising: Six bodies of martyrs found in DMCH morgue

Photo: Collected

Six bodies of martyrs from the July uprising have been found in the forensic department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The special cell for the July uprising at DMCH revealed this during a press conference yesterday, reports UNB.

The identities of the bodies are as follows -- an unidentified male aged around 20, an unidentified male aged around 25, an unidentified male of around 22, an unidentified male of around 30, an unidentified female of around 32, and Enamul, 25.

The forensic team has completed autopsies and collected DNA samples. Reports indicate that five individuals died from injuries, while Enamul succumbed to a fall from a height, according to the cell's secretary Hasan Inam.

"We discovered that six unidentified bodies from the uprising were at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. This morning [yesterday], our team visited Shahbagh Police Station to gather detailed information. Officer-in-charge Khalid Mansur confirmed that six bodies were in the morgue, and these bodies belong to the protesters of the uprising," he said.

"However, the police have not clarified when the bodies were brought here," he added.

The special cell urged anyone missing a person of the mentioned ages to contact them at this number -- 01621324187.

Contacted, Shahbagh OC Khalid Mansur said the bodies haven't been handed over to Anjuman Mufidul Islam yet, as people continue to come and check the bodies daily. A committee, to be formed under the DMP Commissioner's guidance, will decide further actions regarding the bodies.​

 

[Saif]

Film by three int'l orgs documents Jatrabari carnage on Aug 5

The 15-minute film seeks to reconstruct what happened outside Jatrabari police station between 1:56pm and 3:30pm on August 5, 2024

www.thedailystar.net

Film by three int'l orgs documents Jatrabari carnage on Aug 5

Families of those shot during the July revolution are demanding that the law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh secure and analyse original video evidence of the killings to bring the perpetrators to justice, said a press release issued by three international organisations—International Truth and Justice Project, Tech Global Institute and The Outsider Movie Company—who have launched a film today on the August 5 killings in Jatrabari after months of detailed forensic investigation.

The 15-minute film, released in English and Bangla, seeks to reconstruct what happened outside Jatrabari police station between 1:56pm and 3:30pm on August 5, 2024. The investigation located 19 original videos shot by eyewitnesses along with other videos posted on social media, said the press release.

During the launch event on January 15, the three groups will also release a written report titled "Bloodshed in Bangladesh". The report provides an in-depth focus on just one day of the anti-government protests - July 19, 2024. According to the press release, it was found that three times more people were killed that day than previously documented.​

 

[Saif]

Jatrabari: Evidence of atrocities​