RANGPUR, Nov 16, 2024 (BSS) - Social Welfare Advisor Sharmin S Murshid in a
function here today said one lakh heroic freedom fighters of 1971 did not get
justice during the post-independence period.
 
"Among them, 90 percent were rural boys and girls. They had to return to
villages empty-handed and barefoot. They were not used to build the country
which was unfair. But in 2024, the heroic children will be identified and
given proper dignity," she said.
 
Sharmin said at the function, organised by July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, to
hand over cheques to the families of martyrs of Rangpur division in the July-
August anti-discrimination student movement as the chief guest.

CEO of July Shaheed Smrity Foundation Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, the brother of
the deceased student protester Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, moderated the
function held at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

The ceremony began with the national anthem and a moment of silence in memory
of those martyred in the July 2024 Revolution.
 
Sharmin Murshid, also Women and Children Affairs Adviser, the history of
Bangladesh is the result of the struggle of the student-people.
 
"We got independence, a country and a flag in 1971. But the dream of
independence was not fulfilled because equality, justice and accountability
were not established," she said.
 
The Advisor to the interim government said the list of the injured and
martyred in the July-August uprising is being prepared transparently.

Sharmin said, "Some people may think that by telling the story of Shaheed Abu
Sayeed, we are forgetting other martyrs, it's wrong. We are not doing this.
Shaheed Abu Sayeed can be a symbol and he represents everyone."
 
"We may be wrong in our words and actions, so you (people) will get angry
with us, criticize us and even scold us. But do not turn your back. We want
to move forward by correcting mistakes," she added.
 
At the event, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said Shaheed Abu
Sayeed of Rangpur has made Bangladesh known as a symbol of courage all over
the world. He created an awakening among the people across the globe."
 
"Even if everyone forgets the July-August uprising, they will never forget
the families of the martyrs," she said, and called on the young society to
uphold the independence achieved in exchange of blood of the martyrs.
 
Later, the Shaheed Smrity Foundation's financial assistance cheques of Taka
five lakh were distributed to each of the families of 44 martyrs out of the
65 people who were martyred in Rangpur division in the 2024 mass uprising.
 
General Secretary of July Shaheed Smrity Foundation Md Sarjis Alam, Rangpur
Range DIG Aminul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal,
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sharif Uddin and Shamsi Ara Zaman Koli,
mother of martyred journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, also addressed the function.