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Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has paid tribute to those killed and wounded in the July Uprising, calling them “creators of history”.
While distributing state assistance to the families of those killed in the uprising and those injured, the chief advisor said: “You are living history. I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart.”
“A nation that cannot remember history will never develop as a nation,” he added.
The financial cheque handover ceremony took place on Monday at the office of the chief advisor in Dhaka’s Tejgaon.
During the event, Yunus presented cheques to the families of the 21 victims and the seven individuals injured in the uprising.
According to a media statement issued by the Chief Advisor’s Office, this marks the beginning of the state's process to provide financial assistance to the victims.
At the ceremony, the families of the three people killed and three others injured shared their perspectives.
They raised concerns about the trial of the murders, state honours, financial assistance, and rehabilitation.
Some relatives were overcome with emotion as they recounted their experiences from the July events.
Yunus said: “I always think that the sacrifices of those, for whom we can call the country a new Bangladesh, cannot be measured by any criteria.”
Addressing the victims’ families, the chief advisor said: “From today, they have officially become part of the government. This is institutional recognition. Beyond this, everyone in society must accept your responsibility.”
Commenting on the ongoing pursuit of justice for all murders and disappearances, Yunus said: “If justice is done immediately, it becomes injustice. The main thing about justice is that it must be just; there must be no injustice.”
He also urged the public to remain vigilant, saying: “Keep a vigilant eye so that there is no violence and clashes in the country.”
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT GIVING TO JULY VICTIMS?
According to the government's decision, those killed in the July uprising will be officially recognised as "July Martyrs," while the injured will be called "July Warriors”.
Each martyr's family will receive a one-time financial assistance of Tk 3 million.
Of this amount, Tk 1 million will be provided through National Savings Certificates in the 2024-25 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 2 million to be distributed through National Savings Certificates in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Each martyr's family will also receive a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000.
Working members of these families will be given priority for government and semi-government jobs.
The "July Warriors" will receive treatment based on two criteria.
Those with serious injuries, classified under "Category A," will be granted a one-time payment of Tk 500,000.
Of this, Tk 200,000 will be provided in cash, via bank draft, during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 300,000 allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The seriously injured will also be provided with a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000.
They will be entitled to lifelong medical care at multiple government hospitals, and if recommended by the medical board, they may be sent abroad for treatment.
They will also receive necessary training and rehabilitation facilities to support their employment prospects.
Under "Category B," the “July Warriors” will receive a one-time payment of Tk 300,000.
Of this, Tk 100,000 will be provided during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with the remaining Tk 200,000 allocated for the following fiscal year.
They will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 15,000, along with necessary training for employment.
They will also be given priority for positions in government and semi-government jobs.
“July Warriors” will be issued identity cards, which will grant them access to multiple government benefits when presented.
So far, the government has officially recognised 834 individuals as "martyrs" of the July Uprising.
The list of the injured has also been compiled and will be gazetted shortly.