Azam Khan reaffirms commitment to July Charter implementation

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the July Charter, saying efforts are underway to preserve the legacy of the July Mass Uprising and support those affected by it.

Speaking during a visit to injured July fighters receiving treatment in Thailand, the minister alleged that certain vested groups were trying to create confusion regarding the implementation of the charter. He stressed that the government remains firmly committed to carrying forward its objectives.

According to a press release received on Wednesday, Azam Khan visited injured protesters undergoing treatment at Vejthani International Hospital in Bangkok, where he enquired about their health conditions and wished them a quick recovery. The Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand was also present during the visit.

The minister said the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is coordinating treatment for injured July fighters through Bangladeshi missions abroad and covering all medical and related expenses. Besides Thailand, injured individuals are also receiving treatment in Russia, Singapore and Turkey under government supervision.

He said the government has attached the highest importance to treatment, rehabilitation and welfare support for those injured in the uprising and for the families of those killed.

To institutionalise these efforts, the government has established the July Mass Uprising Directorate under the ministry. The directorate is working on verification, registration and gazette publication of recognised July fighters, alongside welfare and rehabilitation programmes.

According to the minister, 14,369 July fighters and 844 martyrs have so far been enlisted in the MIS database.

Families of martyrs are receiving a one-time savings certificate worth Tk30 lakh along with a monthly allowance of Tk20,000. Injured fighters are being provided financial support based on the severity of injuries, including savings certificates ranging from Tk1 lakh to Tk5 lakh and monthly allowances between Tk10,000 and Tk20,000.

Azam Khan said 152 injured fighters had been sent abroad for advanced treatment, of whom 92 have already returned home after recovery while 60 are still undergoing treatment overseas.

He added that steps are also being taken to rehabilitate July fighters through training and employment opportunities, with proposals sent for nearly 1,937 applicants.