July fighters to get allowance from next month: Faruk-e-Azam

The 'July fighters' of the student-people uprising will receive allowances from next month, said Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam.

"In addition to the monthly allowance, the wounded fighters in the July uprising will receive free treatment in government hospitals for their entire lives," he said in an exclusive interview with the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at the Secretariat on Monday.

Faruk-e-Azam said it took 54 years to prepare a list of genuine freedom fighters of 1971.

"But we (the current interim government) prepared the final list of martyred fighters and injured people who participated in the July uprising in just seven to eight months. This is a manifestation of the sincerity and sense of responsibility of the interim government," he said.

He also said the government is undertaking programmes to rehabilitate the injured fighters so that they can get jobs or start businesses according to their own qualifications in the future.

The Liberation War Affairs Adviser said a separate department has already been set up for the rehabilitation of the July fighters, with 20 officers appointed to this department, located on the 10th floor of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

He said the department, led by an additional secretary, has been working round-the-clock on issues related to the interests of the July fighters.

Faruk-e-Azam said the July fighters are part of the history of democratic Bangladesh, and the country's people will remember them with utmost respect forever.

"I do believe that the government and people of this country will ensure their facilities by upholding the dignity of their sacrifice," he said.

The adviser said there could be instances where communication has not yet been established between the government and the families of some martyrs.

"But even after all these days since the mass uprising, if someone comes to the department and alleges that a relative went missing in the July mass uprising, the government would sincerely consider the application of the families of those possibly buried in mass graves," he said.

He also said efforts will be made to trace them even by collecting DNA from the graves, as the government has no lack of sincerity in this regard.

Faruk-e-Azam said the recognised 'July fighters' will receive both one-time and monthly allowances according to their categories.

The martyrs of the July uprising have been categorised as 'July martyrs' and the injured as 'July fighters,' he said, adding that the injured July fighters will receive monthly allowances in three categories: 'A,' 'B,' and 'C.'

In Category 'A,' a July fighter will receive an allowance of Tk 20,000 per month; in Category 'B,' Tk 15,000; and in Category 'C,' Tk 10,000, he said.

Certificates and identity cards are being distributed among them accordingly, he added.

He said a list of 834 'July martyrs' has been published through a gazette notification.

Accordingly, each July martyr's family will receive one-time assistance of Tk 3 million (Tk 30 lakh). Of that amount, Tk 1 million (Tk 10 lakh) has already been provided to each martyr's family in the 2024-25 fiscal year through national savings certificates, the adviser said.

"The remaining Tk 2 million (Tk 20 lakh) will be given in the 2025-26 fiscal year, next July, also through national savings certificates."

Besides, he said, each martyr's family will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000, and able members of the families will be given priority in government and semi-government jobs.

Faruk-e-Azam said that among the injured July fighters, those who are unable to live without the help of others even after receiving treatment—such as those who have gone blind or lost limbs to the extent that they cannot move independently—will be considered Category 'A' July fighters.

"There are 493 people in this category. They will receive one-time assistance of Tk 500,000 and a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000. Of this amount, they have already received Tk 200,000. The remaining Tk 300,000 will be provided in July," he said.

"They will receive lifelong medical facilities in various government hospitals and medical services in local and foreign hospitals based on the recommendation of the appropriate medical board. They will also get necessary training, rehabilitation facilities, and identity cards. Seven seriously injured individuals have already been sent to Turkey. Many have received treatment in various countries, including Thailand," he added.

Noting that there are 908 July fighters in Category 'B,' the Liberation War Affairs Adviser said many fighters were seriously injured and have received treatment, but can now walk without assistance.

"Those who have lost one eye or one leg or suffered a limb loss that still allows them to walk independently—that is, fighters who can live with partial help after treatment—are placed in Category 'B'," he said.

"They will receive Tk 300,000 in one-time assistance. Of this amount, they have already received Tk 100,000 in cash (through bank cheque) in the 2024-25 fiscal year. They will receive the remaining Tk 200,000 next month," he added.

Faruk-e-Azam said the Category 'B' fighters will also receive a monthly allowance of Tk 15,000.

In addition to training, they will receive identity cards and priority in government and semi-government employment, he said.

He also said those who are currently well after receiving treatment have been included in Category 'C.' A total of 10,642 'July fighters' have been listed in this category.

"They have received Tk 100,000 as one-time assistance. In addition, they will get a monthly allowance of Tk 10,000 from next month. Along with this, they will receive rehabilitation support and identity cards," he said.

Besides, the adviser said the interim government has decided to observe August 5 every year as July Uprising Day to commemorate the events of the July uprising.

"This day will be observed with due importance as a national day in the future," he added.

Out of 834 families of martyrs, Faruk-e-Azam said that 134 families have experienced delays in receiving their entitlements due to inheritance complications, but this issue will be resolved very soon.

Errors identified in the list of injured fighters are also being resolved through investigations, he added.