Dhaka: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today unveiled the nameplates of "Shaheed Junaid Chattar" and "Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas Road" at a ceremony near Dhupkhola field in the capital's Gendaria area. The newly designated 'Shaheed Junaid Chattar' commemorates July Uprising martyr Mehdi Hasan Junaid, while 'Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas Road' honors the memory of Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas. Both were martyrs of the July Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, at the ceremony, Asif Mahmud recalled the events of the morning of August 5, stating: 'I was beside the spot in Chankharpul where Anas and Junaid embraced martyrdom. We just had broken the barricade of police and APBN and were preparing to march toward the Shaheed Minar. But then, gunfire erupted, leaving Junaid, Anas, and many others dead that day.'
He added that their sacrifices would not be in vain and emphasized the commitment to building the Bangladesh they envisioned, a result of their patriotism and sacrifice. Mahmud stressed the need for collective action to prevent further sacrifices in dismantling a fascist regime.
Addressing the attendees, he urged the importance of uniting in the struggle to achieve justice for the genocide and to implement necessary reforms in institutions. He criticized the impunity with which forces funded by taxpayers carried out atrocities.
Shaheed Shahariar Khan Anas's mother and Shaheed Mehdi Hasan Junaid's father also spoke at the event, demanding the declaration and implementation of the 'July Charter' and calling on the interim government to preserve the graves and memories of all martyrs.
Shaheed Anas, born on October 14, 2007, became a martyr on August 5, 2024. Before joining the movement, he penned a letter to his mother, marking it as his last expression. Shaheed Mehdi Hasan Junaid, born on October 8, 2009, also embraced martyrdom on August 5, 2024, during the march in Chankharpul.
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Muhammad Tajul Islam, and Local Government Division Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi attended as special guests. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Shahjahan Mia presided over the event, where officials concerned were present.