TDS Desk:

The government is set to begin constructing residential flats for the families of those killed and injured during the July uprising, with work scheduled to start this month.

Officials confirmed that the Government Order (GO) approving the initiative will be issued next week.

Planning Division Secretary SM Shakil Akhtar told the journalists that the proposal for allocating flats was recently approved at an Ecnec meeting.

“The families of martyrs will receive more than 800 flats, and the injured July fighters will receive 1,560 flats,” he said.

“The Public Works Department and our project director will carry out the implementation.”

According to Akhtar, the GO is expected next week, enabling construction to begin immediately afterward.

“The families of martyrs will receive 1,355-square-foot flats, while injured fighters will get 1,250-square-foot units. The project will resemble a planned residential community, complete with green landscaping, flower gardens, saplings, and water fountains.”

He added that although the project’s budget was initially considered high and sent back for revision, a detailed assessment showed it included extensive related infrastructure.

“They gave their lives to defend democracy. We are trying to ensure dignified and beautiful housing for them,” he said.

To maintain construction standards, a quality-monitoring committee is being formed.

“They will regularly review progress and quality and submit quarterly reports,” the secretary said.

INJURED FEEL EXCLUDED

On July 19 last year, Mahmudur Rahman Saikat was shot dead during clashes between protesters and law enforcement on Nur Jahan Road in Mohammadpur.

His family still lives in a rented home in the same area.

Saikat’s father told the journalists: “Only those who lost their children in July know this pain. The government has stood beside us, and for that we are grateful.”

Elsewhere, Monir Hossain, who lost both legs after being shot at a Gazipur intersection, said he has struggled to support his family.

“Since losing my legs, life has been extremely difficult. We appreciate this government initiative.”

However, several July fighters expressed frustration at being excluded.

Injured protesters Zahirul and Jobair said they were not included in the official list despite sustaining serious disabilities.

“We are not getting flats because we did not fall into this category. There were many mistakes in the listing. We were left out even after losing an arm,” they said, urging the government to ensure no severely injured person is overlooked.

THE PROJECTS

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council passed the main project on December 1, titled, “Construction of 1,560 residential flats to provide permanent housing to the families of July fighters who lost their jobs in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement 2024 in Mirpur Section 1, Dhaka.”

The project period extends from July 2024 to June 2029 and will be implemented by the National Housing Authority.

A separate project for the families of July martyrs, known as the “July 36 Residential Flats,” was also approved on the same day.

Built on the National Housing Authority’s own land, it carries a budget of Tk761 crore and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Together, the initiatives represent the government’s largest permanent rehabilitation effort for victims of the July Uprising, though concerns remain about ensuring fair and comprehensive inclusion of all those seriously injured.