Families of July Uprising Victims Demand Justice, Criticize Interim Government

Family members of those killed and seriously injured during the July mass uprising expressed strong anger over the role of the interim government during a discussion organized by BNP on Sunday. They alleged that the government, which came to power through the blood of the martyrs, has failed to support the families and the injured, despite promises of justice, medical care, and rehabilitation.

The meeting took place at the Institution of Agricultural Engineers auditorium in Khamarbari, Dhaka, and was organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to engage with the families of the victims and the injured.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman attended as the chief guest, while the session was presided over by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan. Senior party leaders, including Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, were present as special guests. Tarique Rahman’s wife, Zobaida Rahman, also attended the event.

During the session, family members shared their pain, frustration, and disappointment, highlighting ongoing issues of injustice, lack of security, and insufficient medical support.

Shafik Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, an 11th-grade student at BAF Shaheen College, Dhaka, was killed on August 4, 2024, in police firing in Mirpur-10. His mother, Shahnaz Parvin, said, “After the formation of the interim government, we had hoped for justice for the killings. That hope has now been shattered. The killers of Shafik are living freely without facing any consequences.” She urged BNP to ensure that the new government, like a caretaker administration, remains trustworthy and treats all families of the July–August uprising victims equally.

Fatema Tuz-Zohra, mother of Abdullah bin Zahid, who was killed on August 5, 2024, in police firing in North Uttara’s Chapra Masjid area, said that six months after her elder son’s death, her husband also passed away. Her younger son, Zisan, is battling colon cancer, and despite meeting health advisors three times and waiting all day for assistance, she has yet to receive adequate support. She noted that BNP is currently providing maximum assistance for her son’s treatment and requested that the party prioritize justice for the victims if it comes to power.

Rabiul Awal Bhuiya, elder brother of martyr Imam Hasan Taim Bhuiya, criticized the interim government, stating, “Those who came to power through the blood of martyrs now ignore the families of the victims.” Imam Hasan was shot during the anti-discrimination protest on July 20, 2024, near Kajla pedestrian bridge in Jatrabari, Dhaka, and later died from his injuries.

Other speakers included Golam Rahman, father of martyr Golam Nafis, who described the extreme hardships faced by the families due to lack of medical care and security. He claimed that one martyr’s daughter committed suicide out of frustration over the absence of justice. Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim, emphasized that his concern was not for any political party but for the rights and dignity of the victims’ families. Abu Hossain, brother of martyr Abu Saeed, highlighted that despite public circulation of the killing videos, justice has yet to be served. He expressed hope that BNP, if in power, would ensure proper medical care, rehabilitation, and accountability for the victims.

Injured individuals also spoke, describing how many have become permanently disabled due to loss of limbs, and that promised advanced medical treatment and rehabilitation have not been delivered.

At the end of the meeting, the families and injured urged that justice for the July uprising killings, proper medical care, and rehabilitation be made the highest priority for the new government and called for an end to any future acts of betrayal or neglect.