DU Correspondent :
The Jatiyo Nagorik Committee has called on the interim government to urgently rehabilitate the families of those martyred during the recent movement against fascist forces and to ensure a swift trial of those responsible for the July-August mass killings and their collaborators.
Formed on September 9 with the goal of implementing the manifesto of the July student movement and establishing a new political settlement, the Nagorik Committee voiced these demands during a gathering held in front of the National Museum in the capital on Saturday.
The committee also emphasised the urgent need to address the rising prices of essential commodities, take necessary steps to provide medical treatment to the injured, and improve the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
“The government must bring the collaborators of the July-August massacre to justice swiftly and take effective measures to ensure proper treatment and rehabilitation for the injured, while also improving the country’s law and order situation,” said Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of the Jatiyo Nagorik Committee.
Patwari also highlighted the difficulties ordinary citizens are facing due to skyrocketing prices of daily essentials, calling on the government to take strong action against market syndicates.
In addition to Nagorik Committee members, relatives of the martyrs also addressed the rally, seeking justice for their loved ones and recounting the tragic deaths of those who sacrificed their lives.
Saiful Islam, father of martyr Mominul Islam, who was killed by police in Gulshan on July 19, shared his grief, saying, “I never imagined I would stand here and speak. The sacrifice of my son brought me here today, and I am proud of him.”
He continued, “It’s been more than two months, but my son’s killers have not yet been brought to justice. My son died fighting for the country, and I hope the interim government ensures that I see his murderers tried before I die.”
Martyr Maruf Hossain’s father also spoke, expressing his sorrow and frustration. “I am a working man. When my son was injured in police firing in Badda on July 19, they delayed his transport to Dhaka Medical, and he died. After his death, the police tried to label me as associated with Jamat-Shibir.
I filed a case against 28 people, but none have been held accountable, and they are still roaming free. From whom will I ask for justice?” he lamented.
Akter Hossain, member secretary of the Nagorik Committee, urged the government to take a strong stance against border killings, saying, “We all know the Awami League government has done injustice to the people of Bangladesh over the past few years.
Bangladeshi citizens continue to be killed on the border due to Indian interference. The state must take responsibility for the families of those who have been martyred.”