Mass uprising: Tk638cr allocated for martyrs’, injured families

NN Online:

The interim government has announced a budget allocation of Tk 637.8 crore to support the families of those who were martyred or injured during the student-led mass uprising.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam made the announcement on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

He said from the allocated funds, families of the martyrs will receive savings bonds worth Tk 30 lakh, and the injured will be compensated based on different categories, with amounts ranging from Tk 1 lakh to 5 lakh.

Nahid Islam informed that Tk 232.6 crore from the allocated budget will be spent from the current fiscal year’s budget. The remaining funds will be allocated from the FY 2025-26 budget.

The government’s adviser explained that, following the procedure, martyrs’ families will receive savings bonds worth Tk 10 lakh in January and Tk 20 lakh in July. In addition to the cash compensation for the injured, relevant medical expenses will be gradually covered.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has entrusted the July Mass Uprising Directorate with the responsibility of overseeing the entire process.

According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 650 people were killed in the protests, clashes, and violence surrounding the one-point movement that began with the demand for quota reform in government jobs.

OHCHR’s preliminary report said, “According to media reports and information from the protesters, more than 600 people were killed between July 16 and August 11. Of these, nearly 400 deaths occurred between July 16 and August 4, and approximately 250 people died after August 5.”