Dhaka: Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam announced that the government will persist with its rehabilitation programs for the families of martyrs and those injured during the July Mass Uprising. He made this statement during a press conference at the Secretariat, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting these individuals through employment or business opportunities, despite the absence of a specific job quota for July fighters.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs was given administrative responsibility for the welfare of July Uprising victims on December 12, 2024. The July Mass Uprising Directorate was subsequently established on April 28, 2025, to manage the finalization of the list of martyrs and injured, provide financial aid, medical support, and ensure proper rehabilitation. In 2025, a special ordinance was passed that officially recognized those killed as "July martyrs" and the injured as "July fighters."
Currently, the ministry has published a list of 844 martyrs, using data from the Health Services Division. July fighters have been categorized based on injury type into three groups: 493 in Category A, 9,008 in Category B, and 10,642 in Category C. A new list of 1,769 individuals, including 114 in Category A, 213 in B, and 1,442 in C, is pending verification and will soon be gazetted.
Families of martyrs are entitled to a one-time grant of Tk 30 lakh, issued through savings certificates. During the 2024-25 fiscal year, Tk 77.20 crore has been disbursed to 772 families, with the remaining 72 families set to receive their grants after inheritance issues are resolved. The remaining Tk 20 lakh per family will be provided in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
For July fighters, those in Category A will receive Tk 5 lakh each, with Tk 2 lakh already paid, amounting to Tk 9.86 crore. Category B recipients are entitled to Tk 3 lakh, with Tk 1 lakh already disbursed, totaling Tk 9.08 crore. Category C fighters are to receive Tk 1 lakh each, fully paid out, totaling Tk 106.42 crore. Overall, the government has disbursed Tk 202.56 crore in one-time grants so far, with remaining portions for Categories A and B to be paid in the current fiscal year.
Monthly allowances have been introduced: martyr families and Category A fighters receive Tk 20,000 each, Category B fighters Tk 15,000, and Category C fighters Tk 10,000. The monthly expenditure for these allowances exceeds Tk 14.67 crore.
Regarding medical support, 75 July fighters have been sent abroad for advanced treatment to countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Russia. Currently, 46 are receiving treatment abroad, while another 32 await travel. The government has spent over Tk 78.52 crore on overseas medical care. Altogether, during the 2024-25 fiscal year, a total of Tk 259.68 crore has been spent on treatment, grants, and savings certificates.
To aid long-term rehabilitation, the government is offering job opportunities and training based on skills and experience. Furthermore, a Management Information System (MIS) is being developed to digitize the allowance process and create a comprehensive database of beneficiaries.
Liberation War Affairs Secretary Ishrat Chowdhury and Principal Information Officer Nizamul Kabir were also present at the briefing.