'July fighters' threaten nationwide highway blockade Sunday after clashes with police
"The blockade will be observed from 2pm to 5pm in every district town," Masud Rana, chief organiser of the July Joddha Sangsad, made the announcement at a press conference on Friday evening
Following the clashes with police near the National Parliament complex on Friday (17 October), the "July Joddha Sangsad" has threatened to enforce a nationwide highway blockade on Sunday (19 October) if their key demands are not included in the July National Charter.
Masud Rana, chief organiser of the organisation, made the announcement at a press conference on Friday evening (17 October) in front of the National Parliament's Gate No 12, hours after clashes broke out between July fighters and police near the Parliament complex.
He said the blockade would be observed from 2pm to 5pm in every district town. "We will not leave the streets until our demands are met. This movement belongs to the people, not to any political party."
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Accusing police of attacking their peaceful sit-in, Masud said, "We were holding our demonstration peacefully in front of the Parliament gate. Administrative officials had spoken to us, and we assured them that our programme would continue until 10am without any disorder.
"But instead of initiating any discussion or solution, they suddenly launched an attack on us."
He accused the government of denying recognition to those who "sacrificed blood for the nation's new dream of freedom," despite repeated discussions over the past month with government officials and the National Consensus Commission.
Rana said their delegation had submitted written demands to deputy commissioners across the country and memorandums to 14 ministries, including the offices of the chief justice and chief election commissioner.
He also claimed that Law Adviser Asif Nazrul had reviewed their proposals and assured them of inclusion in the final charter, but "none of the promises were reflected when the July Charter was finally published."
The organisation, representing those injured in last year's July Uprising and families of those killed, is demanding official recognition of the deceased as "martyrs," and acknowledgement of the injured as "July injured heroes," rehabilitation of martyr families, and legal aid for the wounded.
Earlier in the day, July fighters gathered on the National Parliament premises and staged a sit-in to press home their demands. Police later baton-charged the crowd and fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse them, triggering chaos on Manik Mia Avenue.
"Thirty-six July Fighters have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital so far," said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost. Several others sustained injuries in the clashes.
Witnesses said the protesters vandalised police vehicles, including a car and a bus, and set fire to temporary structures erected for the day's July Charter signing ceremony.
