Govt releases Tk1cr for Abu Sayed memorial

The government on Monday released Tk1 crore for the development of the foundation, house and grave of Abu Sayed, the martyr of the July Uprising, five days after the allocation was announced.
The Local Government Division released the funds. According to the fund release letter, Tk109 lakh has been released in favour of Rangpur Zilla Parishad under the “Special Allocation” sub-sector of the Annual Development Programme for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Of the amount, Tk1 crore has been allocated for developing the foundation, house and grave of Shaheed Abu Sayed, Tk5 lakh for supplying bicycles to students of Pirganj Women’s College, and Tk2 lakh each for developing solar power facilities at Pirganj Adarsha High School and Pirganj Kachiman Nesha Secondary School.
The letter instructed that the funds must be spent only on the specified projects, while the concerned bill-raising authority will be held responsible for any irregularities.
On 30 September, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam announced the Tk1 crore allocation after visiting Abu Sayed’s grave and meeting his parents. He said additional funds would be allocated, if necessary, after discussions with the prime minister.
The release of the funds has brought relief to Abu Sayed’s family. Abu Sayed’s mother, Monowara Begum, said, “The state minister told us that Tk1 crore would be provided for the foundation, house and grave. We have now heard that the government has released the money to the district council. We are happy and want the funds to be spent properly.”
His father, Maqbul Hossain, said he was happy that the funds had been allocated and released quickly and urged the government to stand by the families of other martyrs as well.
Rangpur District Council Chief Executive Mamunur Rashid said a committee would be formed to prepare the design and estimate for the project. “We want the house and grave of Abu Sayed, to be developed into a historical monument,” he said.
District Council Administrator Saiful Islam said, “We want to create an environment where people from all walks of life can gather and learn about Shaheed Abu Sayed, so that his memory lives on for generations.”
Abu Sayed, a student of the English department at Begum Rokeya University (BRUR), was shot dead by police in Rangpur on 16 July 2024, during the quota reform movement. His death triggered widespread public outrage across the country.