The interim government has started providing financial assistance to the families of martyrs and the injured from the July uprising.
The formal inauguration of this initiative took place at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, at 10:30am on Monday, where cheques were handed over to 21 martyr families and seven injured individuals.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the program.
Present at the meeting Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr Md Sayedur Rahman.
During the meeting, three martyr families and three fighters shared their experiences.
They raised issues such as justice for the killings, state honours, financial assistance, and rehabilitation.
As they recounted their experiences from July, they were moved to tears.
The chief adviser said: "I always think about those whose sacrifices have given us the courage to call this country a new Bangladesh. Their sacrifice cannot be measured by any scale."
Describing the victims of the July uprising as creators of history, he said: "You are living history. I am deeply grateful to you. A nation that cannot remember its history cannot truly become a nation. On behalf of the nation, I offer my gratitude."
Addressing the families of the martyrs and the injured, he said: "From today, you are officially part of the government. This is an institutional recognition. Beyond this, everyone in society must take responsibility."
He assured all that all killings and disappearances would be brought to justice.
He said: "Justice must be fair; if it is done hastily, it becomes injustice. We fought for justice, and so we must stand against injustice. If we act unjustly, what is the difference between us and those we are fighting against?
"We will turn over criminals to the police and the law. Those who are not criminals, we will help them become better people. We are building this country together. This is not just my country, it is yours too. You are a child of this land, just as I am. Though the country has caused you pain, I will not inflict pain on you. Together, we will build this country into a beautiful nation as soon as possible."
He also urged the families of the martyrs and the fighters to remain vigilant against any future violence or conflict.
The meeting informed the martyr families and fighters about the government's plans for them, as part of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs' initiatives.
According to the government's decision, the martyrs of the July uprising will be referred to as July martyrs, and the injured will be referred to as July warriors, both of whom will receive identification cards.
Each martyr family will receive a one-time financial aid of Tk30 lakh.
This aid will be provided in two instalments: Tk10 lakh in the 2024-2025 fiscal year through National Savings Certificates and Tk20 lakh in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Additionally, each martyr family will receive a monthly allowance of Tk20,000.
The able-bodied members of the martyr families will be given priority for government and semi-government jobs.
July warriors will receive benefits in two medical categories: Those severely injured will fall under Category A and will receive a one-time grant of Tk5 lakh -- Tk2 lakh in 2024-2025 (through a bank cheque) and Tk3 lakh in 2025-2026 (through a bank cheque).
In addition, each severely injured July warrior will receive a monthly allowance of Tk20,000. They will receive lifetime medical treatment in government hospitals and will be able to receive medical treatment in both domestic and foreign hospitals with the recommendation of a medical board.
Those in Category B will receive a one-time payment of Tk3 lakh -- Tk1 lakh in 2024-2025 (through a bank cheque) and Tk2 lakh in 2025-2026 (through a bank cheque).
They will receive a monthly allowance of Tk15,000, along with training and priority access to government or semi-government employment.
The July warriors will also be issued identification cards, which will allow them to access various government benefits.
So far the government has published a gazette with the list of 834 martyrs from the July uprising.
A list of the injured has also been prepared and will be published in a gazette shortly.
At the event, Adviser Nahid Islam said: "We understand that your desire was for these institutional actions to be taken sooner. Our sincerity was never lacking. The chief adviser and everyone in the government worked to give you your rightful recognition. During the crisis period, we had to take responsibility, which is why we could not meet your expectations earlier. For this, I express my regret."
