BNP to support families of July injured, martyrs if voted to power: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (23 May) said that if his party comes to power, the state will take full responsibility for the families of those who were killed or injured during the July-August movement.

"Those who are now reaping the benefits of the July movement, holding key positions including advisory roles or even forming political parties, should be more attentive to the families of the martyrs," Rizvi noted while speaking to reporters after visiting the family of Arman Molla, who was killed during mass uprising by students and locals in the Chouya area of Meherpara union under Sadar upazila.

The BNP leader questioned why they [interim government] don't have the list of the martyrs "whose blood laid the foundation for this current [interim] government?"

He said that the freedom people enjoy today is owed to the sacrifices of individuals like the late Arman Molla.

"It is heartbreaking that the children of someone who gave his life for the country's freedom have to live in an orphanage instead of their home," Rizvi said.

"We came here to stand by Arman's family. After the incident was reported in the media, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, a true leader of the masses, took notice and took responsibility for the family. He sent us here on behalf of the 'Amra BNP Poribar' initiative," he added.

On 21 July last year, Arman Molla was shot dead on the spot while participating in a protest in front of the Shilmandi Union Parishad in Narsingdi.

Arman's wife, Salma Begum, has since been struggling to support their three minor children. She has placed her elder daughter Mahi (10) and son Rafi (7) in an orphanage, while she continues to live in extreme hardship with her youngest daughter Afra (3).