32-hour Shahbagh blockade ends after clash between two groups of 'July warriors'
The blockade in the capital's Shahbagh intersection ended after 32 hours today (1 August), following a clash between two groups of individuals who claimed to be "warriors" of the 2024 July mass uprising.
Under the banner of "July Warriors Council", protesters blocked the intersection since 10:30am yesterday demanding immediate enforcement of the July Charter.
Around 6:30pm today, another group claiming to be "real July warriors" arrived at the spot and forced the blockade group to disperse, labeling them as "fake".
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A brief clash ensued between the two sides before the original demonstrators left the area, our correspondent reported from the spot.
Police were also present and allegedly charged batons on protesters.
No serious injuries were reported.
As of 7:50pm, there were no demonstrators at Shahbagh, and traffic had returned to normal in both directions for the first time in over a day.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Mansur said, "One group identifying as July warriors had blocked three key roads. Later, another group also calling themselves July warriors arrived from the Bangladesh Medical University and other locations, claiming they were the genuine ones. The original protesters left following their arrival, and traffic has resumed."
Masud Rana Sourav, chief organiser of the July Warriors Council, told TBS, "Police and a group of July injured attacked us together. Five of our members were injured. We've regrouped at the Raju Memorial Sculpture and will announce our next steps at a press conference at 8:30pm."
As of filing this report at 10pm, no press statement was released from the group.
Meanwhile, a member of the rival group claiming to be the "real July warriors" said, "The government has already set a date [for addressing the demands]. But instead of cooperating, they deliberately caused public suffering by blocking a major intersection. We warned them yesterday, but they didn't listen."
