Dhaka: The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has provided financial assistance worth Tk 7.7 crore to the families of those killed during the 2013 Shapla Chattar movement and the Anti-Modi protest in March 2021. Families of 58 martyrs from the Shapla Chattar crackdown on May 5, 2013, and 19 families of those killed during the suppression of the March 2021 protests each received Tk 10 lakh at a function held today at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, cheques of Tk 10 lakh each, totaling Tk 7.7 crore, were handed over to the families of those killed in both incidents at the event, organized by the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Adviser to the ministry Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan attended the event as the chief guest, while Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain was present as the special guest.
LGRD Adviser announced that a memorial will be built at Shapla Chattar in the capital to honor those killed during Hefazat-e-Islam’s demonstration on May 5, 2013, so that the people of Bangladesh remember them for generations. Asif Mahmud stated, “The blood of martyrs never goes in vain. Today’s recognition of the martyrs of Shapla Chattar and the anti-Modi movement is a testament to that truth.”
Expressing the government’s pride in recognizing the martyr families, he added, “No one should be able to erase the names of the Shapla Chattar martyrs from history. Their names will be engraved permanently at Shapla Chattar itself.” The Adviser emphasized that the 2013 mass movement laid the groundwork for the anti-fascist uprising of 2024, which ultimately ousted fascist Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In his remarks, Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain described the initiative as “a historic step” by Adviser Asif Mahmud, noting that “this marks the beginning of an official process to acknowledge two significant events of our national history.” Chaired by Local Government Secretary Rezaul Maksud Zahidi, the event also featured speeches by Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Maulana Muhibullah Babunagari, Secretary General Maulana Majedur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Khelafat-e-Islam leader Maulana Mamunul Haque, and Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur.
Hefazat Ameer Maulana Muhibullah Babunagari expressed his gratitude to Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan for extending financial assistance to the families of the martyrs. Maulana Shah Muhibbullah lauded the initiative, saying, “Through this noble gesture by the Local Government Adviser, the entire community of Islamic scholars across Bangladesh feels honored.” He added that the Hefazat movement demonstrated the power of the devout people of Bangladesh, asserting that no government can act against Islam without facing resistance.