Tarique visits slain July protester's grave in Pekua, gives family Tk 2mn

He drives himself across Cox's Bazar after launching a nationwide afforestation campaign

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has visited the grave of slain July Uprising protester Md Wasim Akram in Pekua Upazila.

He also met Wasim's family and handed over a Tk 2 million savings certificate.

On Saturday afternoon, Tarique offered prayers at Wasim's grave near Mehernama Bazar after completing programmes at Dulahazara Safari Park and the Malumghat Reserved Forest, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kajol were present during the grave visit.

Wasim, a fourth-year sociology student at Chittagong College and a member of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, was killed on Jul 16, 2024 during clashes involving protesters, police and Bagladesh Chhatra League activists in Chattogram’s Muradpur.

The premier later met Wasim's relatives and enquired about their wellbeing before presenting the savings certificate.

Wasim was the second of five children born to Shafiul Alam.

Earlier, while formally launching the nationwide tree-planting programme at the Malumghat Reserved Forest in Dulahazara at 3pm, Tarique called on every citizen to plant at least one sapling.

He said people should think about the future of their children and help create an environment where coming generations can breathe clean air.

If the campaign succeeds, future generations will be able to enjoy a healthier environment and cleaner air, he said, urging collective efforts to build a pollution-free country.

Referring to the government's election pledge, Tarique said the administration had promised to launch a major afforestation programme if elected and aimed to plant 50 million trees annually.

Over the next five years, the government plans to plant 250 million trees across the country, he said.

He also asked deputy commissioners across the country to take initiatives to turn their districts into greener, more environmentally sustainable areas.

Dulahazara Safari Park Visit

After inaugurating the Patali Canal re-excavation project, Tarique travelled to Dulahazara Safari Park with his wife Zubaida Rahman.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo and State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam welcomed the prime minister at the park.

He toured the forested area, viewed wildlife and planted a nagalingam sapling near the main entrance.

Tarique and Zubaida later signed the safari park's visitors' book.

Earlier in the day, after arriving at Cox's Bazar International Airport around 10am, he completed formalities and took the wheel himself, according to press aide Ruman.

He said the prime minister drove the vehicle while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed sat beside him.

Tarique drove from Cox’s Bazar to Pekua covering a long stretch of road.