NN Online
Four injured participants of the July uprising ingested poison on Sunday at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, protesting prolonged government delays in providing modern medical care and rehabilitation.
The protestors – Shimul, Maruf, Sagar, and Akter Hossain alias Abu Taher – were rushed to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors stabilised their condition.
Hospital director Dr Khair Ahmed Choudhury confirmed the incident. According to sources, the four had interrupted a meeting between Dr Khair and the CEO of the July Smrity Foundation to demand swift access to advanced treatment and rehabilitation. When asked to wait outside, they consumed poison on the spot in protest.
Fellow protesters at the hospital alleged that despite nine months of promises, the government has failed to act. They claimed that peaceful appeals have gone unheard, forcing them into desperate measures.
They also criticized major political parties—including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Gono Odhikar Parishad—for ignoring their plight while prioritizing political interests.
