A group of injured individuals from last year’s anti-fascist uprising vandalized the office of the July Smrity Shaheed Foundation on Tuesday evening, following months of frustration over delayed compensation.
At least 20 people—many of them still undergoing medical treatment—gathered outside the office earlier in the day. Their goal was simple: secure the second round of financial aid that had already been promised.
But by evening, that hope turned into anger.
According to the protesters, this was not the first delay. They said the Foundation had postponed the second tranche of payments at least three times over the last seven months. Tuesday was supposed to be the final date. Once again, payments were not made.
When Lt Col (Retd) Kamal Akbar, the Foundation’s CEO, declined to issue payments that night, a confrontation escalated. Protesters padlocked the office entrance. Then, after a reported verbal altercation with a staff member, some forced their way in and began smashing property. Glass doors, windows, water filters—several fixtures were damaged.
One protester claimed that police tried to disperse them earlier in the day, but no one from the Foundation stepped in.
Frustration had clearly built up. Many said they’ve been in pain for nearly a year. One student from Savar Government College said he still had bullets lodged in his head from the violence that broke out during the 2024 uprising.
Others accused Foundation officials of favoritism—suggesting that payments were being handed out based on connections, not need.
Later that night, CEO Kamal Akbar met with the group. He acknowledged their anger, calling it “justified to some extent,” but also said that the Foundation couldn’t meet every demand instantly.
“It’s difficult to manage all expectations,” Akbar told reporters. He confirmed that Sunday has been set as the new payment date.
According to him, around 806 critically injured individuals have already received their second payments. More will follow, he added. The Foundation currently holds about Tk7 crore in its fund.
He insisted that priority is being given to the most critically injured and to families with immediate needs.
For those who have waited for months, the assurance might feel too familiar. Many now say they’ll wait until Sunday—but not quietly.
