Cheque ceremony held for families from Shapla Chattar, March 2021 incidents
A cheque distribution ceremony was held today at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium for families of those killed at the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh rally at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013 and during the March 2021 protest crackdown, the Local Government Division said.
Under the programme, Tk10 lakh was given to each bereaved family — 58 families from the 2013 incident and 19 families from the 2021 incident — totalling Tk7.7 crore.
Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, attended as Chief Guest, while Dr A F M Khalid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, was Special Guest.
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In his remarks, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said: "The blood of martyrs never goes in vain. Today's recognition of the martyrs of historic Shapla Chattar and the anti-Modi movement is proof of that." He added that the names of those killed at Shapla Chattar would be engraved at the site so they cannot be erased from history.
Dr A F M Khalid Hossain said providing financial assistance to the families was a "historic initiative", adding that the process of formally recognising the two events had begun.
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer Maulana Shah Muhibullah Babunagri expressed appreciation to the Local Government Division and the adviser, saying the initiative honoured the Alem community.
The event, chaired by Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, Secretary, Local Government Division, was addressed by Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh; Mr Mujibur Rahman Bhuiyan Manju, Chairman, AB Party; Maulana Mamunul Haque, Secretary General, Khelafat Majlish; Mr Nurul Haque Nur, President, People's Rights Council; Maulana Sajidur Rahman, Secretary General, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh; and Md Shahjahan Mia, Administrator, Dhaka South City Corporation.
