Ishraque threatens protests with July injured if govt fails to ensure proper treatment

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has threatened to join any movement by those who have been injured in the July uprising if the government fails to ensure proper treatment for them.

"If the government fails to provide immediate and proper medical care to these injured heroes, and if they decide to protest again, we will not hesitate to join them," Ishraque said in a press release today (8 June).

The BNP leader made the remark after visiting the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in the capital last night (7 June) to meet and extend Eid greetings to the injured participants of the July uprising currently undergoing treatment there.

Ishraque spent time with the injured carrying Eid gifts.

In the release, Ishraque said he had learned none of the concerned authorities had visited the injured fighters throughout the day.

Deeply moved, he spontaneously decided to visit the hospital and share Eid joy with the patients.

The release quoted Kazi Jaber, one of the injured protesters, as saying none of the interim government advisers visited them on Eid day.

"We were served spoiled food today," he was quoted as saying in the release.

Ishraque condemned the government's neglect on the matter.

"These brave fighters shed blood for this government, but now those in power are busy with corruption and have forgotten them. Even on Eid day, they didn't care to visit," he said in the release.

He also criticised student advisers for focusing solely on consolidating their parties instead of standing by the July fighters.

In the release, Ishraque also raised questions about the role of the July Foundation, alleging inaction and indifference.

According to hospital records, 29 injured individuals are admitted to one ward and 19 to another. All of them were wounded during the protests that erupted in July last year.