Calm returns to Parliament area after clashes between police, 'July Fighters' ahead of charter signing
"At least 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.
Highlights:
- Clashes ensue between law enforcement and protestors
- Situation returns to normal after police action
- July fighters demand recognition, legal protection and social security
- They want their demands included in July National Charter
- Military personnel deployed at the site
The situation around the Bangladesh Parliament largely returned to normal this afternoon (17 October) following clashes between police and individuals claiming to be "July Fighters," ahead of the July National Charter signing ceremony.
Small groups of protesters remained scattered across nearby areas, including Khamarbari and Dhanmondi 32, while police maintained a heavy presence along Manik Mia Avenue and continued clearing pedestrians from Parliament's South Plaza gates.
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Vehicular movement has also resumed in the area.
Clashes ensued on Manik Mia Avenue this afternoon as police baton-charged individuals who gathered on the parliament premises under the banner of "July Fighters" to press home their three demands.
Police also hurled multiple rounds of sound grenades and tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd. Several people were injured in the clashes.
"At least 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.
However, when asked about the matter, Ibne Mizan, deputy commissioner of the DMP Tejgaon Division, declined to make any comments.
The protestors vandalised police vehicles, including a car and a bus. They also set fire to the temporary reception room, temporary control room and furniture built in front of the MP building on Manik Mia Avenue for today's July Charter Signing Ceremony.
Road blockade in Dhanmondi
After being dispersed from the parliament premises on Manik Mia Avenue, protestors claiming to be July Fighters blocked the road in front of Rapa Plaza in Dhanmondi, which created long tailbacks.
The army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn), SWAT, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar worked to clear Manik Mia Avenue.
After several clashes, police restored traffic movement to normal at around 2:30pm.
How it started
The protestors who claim to be injured in the July Uprising, along with family members of those martyred, gathered on the parliament premises in the morning and staged a sit-in to press home their demands: the state must officially recognise those injured in the July Uprising and, in honour of their sacrifices and contributions, grant them the status of "July injured heroes"; the state must ensure legal protection and social security for the injured; and these demands should be included in the July National Charter 2025 and implemented swiftly.
The demonstrators had said they would not leave the parliament premises, the venue for today's upcoming signing of the July Charter, unless their demands were met.
This morning, a group of "July Fighters" managed to enter the parliament complex.
Another group, unable to enter, expressed anger and held a sit-in in front of the gate.
Military personnel were on duty guarding the gate.
Expressing their anger, the demonstrators said one group had to flee the country because of the sacrifice of the July Fighters, while another group assumed power.
They warned that if they have to spill their blood again, the second group will not survive either, before questioning why they must seek permission from them to enter the parliament complex.
The historic July National Charter is set to be signed this afternoon.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, also chairman of the seven-member National Consensus Commission, will attend the signing ceremony, scheduled to begin at 4pm at the South Plaza of the Bangladesh Parliament.
