Nahid offers ziarat at grave of Shaheed Istiaq Ahmed Shraban in Feni

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam today offered ziarat at the grave of Shaheed Istiaq Ahmed Shraban, who embraced martyrdom during the July-August student-people uprising, at Uttar Anandapur Union of the upazila here. Shraban was killed by some Awami League thugs at Mohipal in the district on August 4, said a press release.

After offering ziarat, Nahid, also information and broadcasting adviser, extended empathy to Shraban’s father and talked to journalists. Feni DC Musammat Shahina Akter and other officials of the local administration were present on the occasion.

Nahid said the “July Shaheed Smriti Foundation” has already been formed to rehabilitate the families of the people, who were injured and killed during the July mass uprising. Taka 100 crore has been given to the foundation from the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund, he added.

“We have already started providing emergency financial assistance to the injured people. We are sincerely considering the long-term rehabilitation of the families of the injured people as well as the rehabilitation of the families of those who have lost their eyes and suffered disabilities,” Nahid said.

The foundation will work to preserve the history and memories of the entire mass uprising along with providing jobs to the families of the injured and killed people, he added. Besides, Nahid said the social welfare and health ministries have taken many initiatives to this end and these will continue.

Replying to a question over the list of martyrs, he said the list is yet to be finalized. Primarily, the health ministry uploaded a list of 707 martyrs of the July uprising, Nahid said, adding, apart from this, many people have been enforced disappearance and many others have remained missing.

So, there has an opportunity for them to be enlisted on the basis of authentic information, he added. The adviser also said that lists of martyrs have been sought from all deputy commissioners (DCs) and the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. After verifying all these lists, Nahid said, a complete list will be prepared.