AB Party pays tribute to July martyrs

Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party on Friday paid tribute to the martyrs of the July 2024 mass uprising at the Rayerbazar Mass Grave and urged the government to take effective measures to stop political violence and ensure support for the families of those killed and injured, according to a press release issued on Friday.

Speaking after a prayer and wreath-laying programme, AB Party Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said the current government came to power on the sacrifices of those who lost their lives during the July Uprising and therefore bears a responsibility to the families of the martyrs, as well as those who were injured or permanently disabled.

"Hundreds of people were martyred and thousands were injured or disabled during the July 2024 mass uprising. Forgetting the debt of their blood is something history will never forgive," he said.

Fuad criticised what he described as the suspension of funding for the July Memory Foundation, alleging that the government had yet to take effective steps to rehabilitate the families of the martyrs and those injured in the uprising. He urged the authorities to end delays and provide the necessary assistance without further postponement.

He also said many unidentified victims of the July uprising remain buried at the Rayerbazar Mass Grave and other locations across the country. Calling on the government to identify the victims, he demanded that they be accorded official recognition and state honour. The AB Party leader also condemned attacks on the National Citizen Party's (NCP) recent marches in Habiganj and Sylhet, saying no political party should be prevented from holding peaceful programmes in a democratic state.

"Violence and terrorism against political opponents must come to an end," he said, urging the government to take effective measures to prevent politically motivated violence.

Among those present at the programme were AB Party Joint Secretary General Shahadatullah Tutul, Dhaka South Convener Abdul Halim Khokon, Dhaka North Convener Selim Khan, Chhatra Paksha President Mohammad Prince, Public Education and Library Affairs Secretary Anwar Faruk, Employment Affairs Secretary Safiul Bashar, Assistant Education Secretary Faisal Monir, Assistant Publicity Secretary Azadul Islam Azad, Assistant Women Development Secretary Shahinur Akter Shila, Assistant Office Secretary Abdul Halim Nannu, Mashiur Rahman Milu, Volunteer Party Joint Convener Abdul Mannan, Joint Member Secretary Rashida Akter Mitu, Professionals' Wing Joint General Secretary Mahfuzar Rahman, Jatrabari Police Station Convener Sultan Arif, Ramna Police Station Convener Abdul Kader Munshi, student leaders Asif, Ariful and Akil, and Barishal leader Zakir Hossain, among other party leaders.