Families of those killed during the July uprising have demanded the construction of a memorial in their honour and the swift trial of those responsible for the deaths.
At a programme held yesterday afternoon at Shaheed Mugdho Mancha (formerly Bangabandhu Mancha) in the capital's Uttara, they urged the interim government to expedite the judicial process and bring the perpetrators to justice. They alleged that most killings during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement remain unaddressed.
The event, titled "List of Martyrs from the July Uprising in Uttara", was organised by Chobbishe Uttara, a platform formed during the anti-discrimination movement that began on July 18.
The programme began with the publication of a list of 46 individuals killed in Uttara during the uprising, including their names and identities. Among them, the identities of eight individuals were confirmed, but their photographs were unavailable.
The relatives of 12 victims spoke at the event.
Heart-Wrenching Testimonies
Halim Sarkar, father of Sajib Sarkar, an MBBS doctor who was shot dead on July 18, said, "My son provided immediate care to injured protesters. That afternoon, he was shot and later declared dead at Uttara Adhunik Hospital. I urge the government to honour their memory by establishing a memorial. It might bring some solace to grieving families like ours."
Bilkis Zaman, mother of engineer Jahiduzzaman Tanvin, broke down as she recounted her son's death. "Tanvin built drones and worked on innovative projects. On July 18, he left home to withdraw money from the bank, promising to return in half an hour. He never came back."
Calling for justice, she added, "I demand that my son's name, along with all the martyrs, be etched in golden letters in history. The killers must face justice urgently."
Forhad Ali, father of Kishorganj Polytechnic Institute student Samit Hossain, killed on August 5, recalled, "Samit left home to visit a friend. By 3:30pm, I received the devastating news of his death. I demand justice for my son and all the victims of this movement."
Call for Documentation and Action
Samia Rahman and Sohana Saki, organisers of Chobbishe Uttara, moderated the event. The platform began compiling a list of those killed on September 20.
Samia said, "The July uprising in Uttara saw significant participation. We built networks through the protests, but the exact number of victims remains unknown. While some figures have been released, many cases remain unreported."
She urged the interim government to create an official list of victims and injured protesters.
The event concluded with a candlelight vigil and a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives during the uprising.
Families reiterated their demands for justice and accountability, calling for recognition of the sacrifices made during the anti-discrimination student movement.
