Govt Starts Providing Financial Aid to Victims of July Uprising

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today formally inaugurated the program providing financial assistance to the July victims at his office in Dhaka. Photo: PID

Today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus launched the assistance program by personally distributing cheques to the families of the 21 martyrs and seven injured individuals at his office.

The event was attended by key government officials, including Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam, and Special Assistant (state minister) Professor Dr. Md Sayedur Rahman.

During the ceremony, family members of the martyrs and the injured spoke about their experiences, shedding light on their struggles and presenting various demands, including calls for the trial of those responsible for the mass killings, recognition of the martyrs with state honors, continued financial aid, and enhanced rehabilitation efforts. Emotions ran high as many participants shared deeply personal accounts of their loss and hardships.

At the gathering, the injured and the families of the martyrs were briefed on the government’s support programs, which aim to recognize the sacrifices made during the July uprising.

In line with the government’s decision, those who lost their lives in the uprising will be officially recognized as ‘July Martyrs,’ while the injured will be referred to as ‘July Fighters.’ Both groups will be issued identity cards to access various benefits.

Each martyr's family will receive a one-time financial assistance of Taka 30 lakh, to be distributed in two installments: Taka 10 lakh in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 20 lakh in fiscal 2025-2026 through national savings bonds. Additionally, a monthly allowance of Taka 20,000 will be provided to the families. Working members of the martyr's families will be given priority for government and semi-government jobs.

The July fighters, who sustained injuries during the uprising, will receive compensation in two categories based on the severity of their injuries.

Category A covers those with serious injuries. They will receive a one-time payment of Taka 5 lakh, divided into two installments: Taka 2 lakh in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 3 lakh in fiscal 2025-2026. These individuals will also receive a monthly allowance of Taka 20,000 and access to lifelong medical care at government hospitals. If required, they will be able to seek medical treatment at domestic or international hospitals upon the recommendation of a medical board. Furthermore, they will be offered training and rehabilitation programs.

Category B covers the moderately injured, who will receive a one-time payment of Taka 3 lakh, split into Taka 1 lakh in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 2 lakh in fiscal 2025-2026. They will also receive a monthly allowance of Taka 15,000 and priority access to government and semi-government jobs, as well as necessary training.

All July fighters will receive identity cards, which will allow them to avail themselves of various government benefits.

The government has already published the names of 834 martyrs in the July uprising through an official gazette and is preparing to release the list of the injured through a forthcoming gazette notification.

During the meeting, Information Adviser Nahid Islam acknowledged the challenges faced in meeting the expectations of the victims and their families. He said, "We understand that your desire was for us to expedite the institutional work. However, please know that there has never been a lack of sincerity on our part." He added that the interim government, including the Chief Adviser, had been working diligently to honor the July heroes, but that the responsibilities of the state during a crisis period had delayed their plans. "For this, I offer my sincere apologies," Nahid Islam concluded.