Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly today said the government will gradually provide state recognition and extend support to those who were killed or injured during decades of democratic movements and struggles in honour of their sacrifices. 

“They (the victims) will be honoured by the state and receive government support in phases. 

However, some patience is needed,” he told the closing ceremony of a special photo exhibition titled ‘15 Years of Fascism and the Mass Uprising of 2024’ at the Jatiya Press Club here.

The exhibition was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association (BPJA) and Amra BNP Paribar.

The press secretary said, “We have come through a time when some people enjoyed security during movements while others did not. But in today's Bangladesh, everyone has the right to security. We are working to build a safe Bangladesh.”

Recalling the country’s long history of democratic movements, Shibly said countless people sacrificed their lives, sustained injuries and remained separated from their families during the long period of struggles against fascism. 
 
The press secretary paid deep tribute to journalists who were killed or injured during various movements, prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“It is not possible to recognise every sacrifice overnight, but the state would gradually acknowledge everyone's contributions” he said, adding, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has made it clear that those who were killed or injured during the country’s long democratic movements would receive state recognition and assistance in phases.” 

Shibly said the present government has been facing multiple challenges since assuming office, including the impact of global war situation, economic pressures and various crises inherited from the previous government. As a result, he said, implementing many initiatives is taking time.

He added, “The government is working to free the country from the reality of the repression and persecution you have endured over the past 15 years. So, give the new government some time. You have already begun to notice the changes." 
 
Saying that rebuilding efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would continue to realise the aspirations of the martyrs, the press secretary called for the cooperation of journalists, photojournalists and people from all walks of life in building a safe, democratic and humane Bangladesh.  

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, BNP Chairman's Advisory Council member Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association (BPJA) President AKM Mohsin, General Secretary Babul Talukdar, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Vice-President Rashedul Haque, BPJA Vice-President Mashiur Rahman Sumon, Finance Secretary Nasim Sikder, Office Secretary Farid Ahmed, as well as photojournalists, journalists and people from different professions attended the programme.