HC issues rule over declaring mass uprising martyrs as "national heroes"

The High Court issued on Tuesday a rule asking why those killed during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests in July and August should not be declared 'national heroes'.

The rule also asks why those injured in the protests should not be given the status of freedom fighters, why they should not be given the facilities afforded to freedom fighters and why the families of the dead should not be rehabilitated.

In the rule, the court asked the authorities to show causes as to why they should not be ordered to rehabilitate the families of the victims and to give monthly benefits to the injured and arrested during the movement like given to 1971 freedom fighters.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque passed the order following a writ petition filed by Mohammad Ali Nazir Shaheen, a resident of Chattogram's Nasirabad Housing Society, seeking necessary directives.

Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin and Advocate Md Raihan Alam appeared for the writ petitioner during the hearing.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday released a draft list of 708 individuals who were killed during the anti-discrimination students' protests in July and August.

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