July uprising injured protest at Shahbagh for rehabilitation

Those injured in the student-led July-August mass uprising and their family members are protesting at Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, demanding rehabilitation and compensation from the government.

Protesters gathered at Shahbagh around 11:00am on Monday (February 17) and set a deadline till 2:00 pm for the government to hold talks with them.

The government’s failure to hold talks with them within the given time forced the protesters to block Shahbagh intersection.

Khaled Mansur, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station said, the protesters blocked the Banglamotor-bound lane on the road in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) around 2:00pm to press home their demands.

The protesters remained on the streets, chanting slogans till filing this report.

However, traffic was moving through other lanes of the intersection.

The protesters demanded financial assistance for those who have lost their ability to work permanently, including a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000, one-time compensation, and job training and employment in government or semi-government sectors for a family member of the injured.

They also called for a Tk 15,000 monthly stipend for those who have recovered and regained working ability, along with one-time compensation and employment opportunities in government or semi-government institutions.

Additionally, the protesters urged the government to enact a special protection law ensuring the safety of the injured and the families of those killed in the uprising.

They demanded strict legal provisions for any threats, harassment, or attempts on their lives. They also called for free psychological counselling for affected families and the introduction of a toll-free hotline to report harassment and seek assistance.