United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has arranged the construction of a new house for the family of slain Feni Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader Harunur Rashid, as part of a humanitarian initiative. The construction of the new house has begun under the initiative of ‘Amra BNP Poribar,’ following the directive of the Prime Minister and under the plan of his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, considering the prolonged financial hardship faced by the family. A delegation of ‘Amra BNP Poribar’, led by its Adviser Abul Kashem, inaugurated the construction work on Sunday morning at Bhorbazar of Farhadnagar union of Sadar upazila. They also conveyed the Prime Minister’s message of sympathy and support to the family. Member Secretary of the organisation Moksedul Momin Mithun was also present. Speaking on the occasion, Abul Kashem said the sacrifices of martyrs will never go in vain and standing beside their families is a moral responsibility. He added that the organisation will continue to support families affected by political violence and repression. Among those present were ‘Amra BNP Poribar’ members Masud Rana Liton, Shakil Ahmed and Farhad Ali Sajib, Joint General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Hasnain Nahian Sajib, Sweden BNP leader Sayham Sikandar Pappu and Dhaka College JCD leader Abdullah Al Misbah. Also present at the event were Sheikh Farid Bahar, convener of Feni district BNP; Alaudin Alal, member secretary; Fazlur Rahman Bakul, convener of Sadar upazila BNP; Aman Uddin Qaiser Sabbir, member secretary; Belayet Hossain Bacchu, district BNP member; Mezbah Uddin Bhuiyan, member secretary of municipality BNP; Noimullah Chowdhury Barat, member secretary of district Jubo Dal; senior joint convener VP Belal and joint convener Amzad Hossain Sumon. Harunur Rashid was killed on 4 December 2013 after being shot by police during a peaceful hartal procession brought out by local BNP on Trunk Road in Feni town. Earlier in 2017, Tarique Rahman also provided financial assistance for the wedding of Harunur Rashid’s eldest daughter.

BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday 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. Zubaida pledges support for budding scientists 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 July 21 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).