‘July Martyr Families’ and ‘July Warriors’ have held a press conference in Narail to protest the publication of baseless and false information.
The press conference was held at the Narail Press Club Hall on Wednesday morning in protest of the report titled “Murder in Land Dispute, Death in Accident, Yet They Are July Martyrs” published in Pratham Alo on September 15.
Sheikh Mostafiz, the central president of the injured July fighter and July Revolutionary Youth Organization, read out a written speech at a press conference organized by the July martyr family and July fighters. Sabrina Akhtar, the wife of July martyr Rabiul Islam Limon, was present at the press conference.
Sabrina Akhtar (Rabiul Islam Limon's wife) said, "My husband died due to false accusations. Now, even after his death, this accusation is coming back to haunt the family as a mental torture. We want justice." She also said, "The report published in Prothom Alo should be withdrawn immediately, and the real incident should be reported again as soon as possible." Correct reports should be published, and formal condolences should be expressed to the families of the victims and the martyrs for the incorrect information.
In a written statement, Sheikh Mostafiz said that the report published in Prothom Alo on September 15 is false, fabricated and purposeful. The report presents July martyr Md. Rabiul Islam as a 'fake July martyr', which is extremely insulting and completely contrary to the truth.
The report claims that Rabiul Islam was throwing pellets and injured a child during the uprising in the Uttara House Building area. Later, the agitated crowd beat him up and his body was hung from a tree.
But the family says that this is a complete lie. Md. Rabiul Islam Limon (Facebook ID: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FRi8MR2ft/?mibextid=wwXlfr, Rabiul Limon) worked on behalf of the students throughout the July Movement. His Facebook ID has numerous posts and videos, where he was vocal in support of the movement. Even after Sheikh Hasina left the country, he posted on social media expressing his excitement.
On the day of the incident, during the victory procession in the Uttara House Building area, the situation of firing suddenly arose. Then, the agitated crowd, wrongly suspecting Rabiul of being an agent of ‘RAW’ or a Chhatra League worker, beat him up. Rumors spread that he opened fire. No one else had the courage to protect him. Due to this tragic misunderstanding, Rabiul became a victim of mob lynching.
It was mentioned in the press conference that Rabiul Islam Limon was a volunteer teacher of the ‘Pracheshta Foundation’. He used to teach street children free of cost. His colleagues at Southeast University and the families of the students are also witnesses to his humanitarian work. It is worth thinking about how a social worker like him could open fire on the people who were on his side.
Addressing the journalists, he said, journalism is the mirror of society. It is the responsibility of journalists to uncover the truth and report it impartially. A wrong report can tarnish an innocent person even after death. This should not happen.
Sabrina Akhtar, wife of July martyr Rabiul Islam Limon, National Youth Power Central Joint Member Secretary Mahmuda Sultana Rimi, July martyr Rabiul's uncle Mollah Ahmed Sayeed (Tulu) were present.
