Barisal: Jatiya Nagorik Committee today held a views-exchange meeting with the family members of martyrs and those injured in the student-led mass upsurge, along with citizens from various professions in Barisal. Family members of the July movement’s martyrs and injured, student movement organizers from different districts, lawyers, doctors, teachers, activists, workers, and members participated in the program held at the auditorium of Barisal Bar Association in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nagorik Committee central body members Ariful Islam Adeeb, Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, and Faisal Mahmud Shanta addressed the program, among others, as stated in a press release. At the beginning of the exchange program, Nagorik Committee members welcomed the injured by offering them flowers.
During the event, martyrs’ family members and leaders of the student movement emphasized the importance of providing proper treatment to the injured, bringing the culprits of the July massacre to justice, and upholding
the spirit of the student-led mass upsurge in political activities. Martyr Shaon Shikder’s brother, Maruf Shikder, expressed his desire for guaranteed rights for all, stating, “My brother sacrificed his life for the country, we want everyone’s rights to be guaranteed.”
Barisal BM College student Rahmat Ullah criticized political parties for neglecting the injured and the families of the martyrs, stating, “Everyone is now busy with serving their political purposes. No political party is taking any initiative or program for the injured or the families of the martyrs.”
Belal Hossain, who lost an eye in the movement, shared his struggles, mentioning, “My eyes have not yet been fully treated. I am the sole earner of the family, so it became very difficult for me to take care of the family.”
Nagorik Committee member Ariful Islam Adeeb emphasized the July mass uprising’s aspiration for human dignity and justice, stating, “All citizens of the state must be guaranteed equal status.” He further insisted on bringing
the killers involved in the July killings to justice, affirming, “I will not let the sacrifice of more than two thousand martyrs go in vain.”
Faisal Mahmud Shanto, another Nagorik Committee member, highlighted the martyrs’ aspirations, stating, “Those who were injured and martyred in the movement did not want to be the rulers of this country; rather they wanted people’s right to food, education, right to speak and live.” He added that anyone wishing to engage in politics in Bangladesh in the future should keep in mind the aspirations of the martyrs of the July Uprising.
Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, who has been working on the care of injured individuals, reiterated that “the families of the martyrs and the injured are our first priority.” Local student organizers Sabbir Hossain, Shahabuddin, Shakil Mridha, and Abu Saeed were also present at the meeting.