Parents and relatives of victims of the July 21 Milestone aircraft crash have renewed their call for government support sharing their pain and struggles as they continue to cope with the loss of loved ones and the suffering of survivors.

“Many are still lying in hospital beds, writhing in pain. One of them is my son,” Monir Hossain Swapan, father of injured student Raihan Toufiq, said at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday.

“Allah saved his life, but 22 percent of his body was burnt. He stayed in hospital for 55 days before returning home. We live in constant fear that his body may twist or deform. He had to wear a special garment that prevents him from standing straight or bending,” he said.

Two months have passed, yet no one from the government has stood beside us, he said.

On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Haider Ali Building of Milestone School and College in Uttara’s Diabari.

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The crash claimed 37 lives including  28 children, three teachers, three parents, one school staff member, and the pilot.

Nine others are still fighting for their lives in hospitals while many survivors are left scarred both physically and emotionally, said the organisers.

Ashraful Islam, father of two young victims- Nazia and Nafi- presented an eight-point demand including free lifetime treatment through health cards, adequate compensation, rehabilitation through government jobs, recognition of July 21 as a National Mourning Day in schools, preservation of victims’ graves, and “shahidi” (martyr) status for those who died.

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“We carried our beloved children’s bodies on our shoulders and laid them in their graves. Many others are struggling — rushing to hospitals, enduring unbearable physiotherapy, dressings, and skin grafts. The future of our children is uncertain. We are anxious over their lives,” Ashraful said.

Nazmul Haque, father of victim Tasnia Haque, said, “July 21 is forever a day of grief in Bangladesh’s history. Students, teachers, guardians, and staff perished in an instant. At first, people came to see us. Now, no one checks in except the school authorities. The Chief Adviser met families of three teachers, but not with us, the parents of the children. We had no choice but to come before the media.”

Several parents and relatives including Suman, father of injured Rayan Toufiq; Rezaul Karim Shamim, father of deceased Samiul and Sanjida Belayet, mother of injured Zayana Mahbub, echoed the same appeal — that the victims’ families should not be left to suffer alone.

 “The government must take responsibility. We will not stop raising our voices until justice is served and our children are honoured,” said one parent.