Dhaka: State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain on Tuesday announced that individuals attempting to fraudulently secure gazette status for July uprising martyrs could face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Tk 10 lakh.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the government is actively working to officially recognize all July uprising martyrs who have not yet been gazetted. Efforts will also be made to permanently preserve and develop their graves. Ishraque, speaking with reporters after a meeting with the families of the martyrs in the Jatrabari area of the capital, emphasized that any fraudulent attempts to gain gazette status would be met with legal action under existing laws.

The state minister assured that the concerns of the martyrs’ families have been acknowledged and measures will be taken to address them. He highlighted that the issue has been a point of discussion in parliament. Ishraque criticized the former interim government for its failure to fulfill its responsibilities, asserting that this negligence has contributed to the current difficulties in determining the number of martyrs.

Efforts are underway to ensure that all individuals martyred during the July movement are included in the official records. Ishraque pointed out that at the Matuail Graveyard, where 17 martyrs are buried, no permanent measures have been taken for their graves despite funds being allocated by the interim government. He accused the previous administration of irregularities and corruption in implementing grave preservation efforts.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has gathered necessary data regarding the graves, and steps will be taken promptly to ensure their permanent preservation and development. Ishraque reaffirmed that the vetting process for identifying genuine July martyrs will continue, and no fraudulent attempts will be tolerated.

Highlighting past actions, Ishraque noted that he personally revoked 12 gazette notifications after investigations revealed that those listed were not genuine martyrs of the July movement but were instead associated with the fascist regime or law enforcement. Their gazette statuses were subsequently cancelled.