Staff Reporter:
The government has taken an initiative to grant state recognition to individuals injured during the July mass uprising 2024 who have not yet been listed as ‘July Fighters’ in the official gazette.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has directed the authorities concerned to publish a public notice inviting applications from such injured participants for inclusion in the official list, said a press release yesterday.
“Applications will be invited from those who sustained injuries during the movement, received hospital treatment or are still undergoing treatment but have not been gazetted as July fighters,” said the letter, issued by the ministry’s July Mass Uprising Wing on November 10.
It further said that 842 people were martyred during the uprising. So far, the government has gazetted 990 injured participants under Category A, 1,014 under Category B and 11,964 under Category C to ensure their recognition, welfare and rehabilitation.
The letter said applications from 931 injured people remain pending at the upazila and district levels. Many others across the country have also remained outside the official list despite sustaining injuries during the uprising.
It recalled that on February 10, the last working day of the previous government, all deputy commissioners (DCs) were instructed not to forward new applications for inclusion of July martyrs and fighters until further directives.
As a result, applications submitted to different upazila and district offices could not be forwarded to the ministry for further action, the release mentioned.
Applicants will have to submit their national identity cards or birth registration certificates, permanent and present addresses, and relevant documents as proof of injuries sustained during the uprising. Their inclusion will be considered on the basis of the submitted information and supporting documents.
The letter, signed by Deputy Secretary Dr Md Zahirul Islam, requested the Director General of the July Mass Uprising Directorate and all deputy commissioners to publish the public notice on their respective office websites.
The initiative is expected to provide an opportunity for previously unlisted injured participants to receive state recognition, the release added.
