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Police have filed four cases in connection with the clashes that erupted as law-enforcing agencies moved to disperse “July Warriors” and their families, who gathered at the venue of the July Charter signing ceremony.
As many as 900 unidentified people were accused in the cases over vandalism, arson and attacks on law-enforcing agencies.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station chief Emaul Haque said one person has been arrested in connection with the incidents.
The detainee, identified as Rimon Chandra Barman, was taken into custody from the scene on Friday and later formally shown arrested after verification.
The cases were filed on charges including forcible entry into a restricted area, assaulting police, vandalising vehicles and setting fire to a temporary control room.
One of the cases was filed by a member of the traffic police, while the remaining three were lodged by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station itself.
“All the accused in the four cases are unknown -- in total at least 800 to 900 people have been accused,” Emaul said.
Asked if the arrested man had any political affiliation, Emaul replied: “We think he is a criminal, an attacker. That is why he has been arrested. We will know more after a detailed investigation.”
According to police, at least five vehicles were vandalised during the clashes on Friday, and parts of a temporary control room belonging to police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were set on fire.
At least 10 police personnel, including Tanvir Ahmed, deputy commissioner of the Public Order Management Division, were injured after being hit by stones thrown by demonstrators, said Ibn Mizan, deputy commissioner of the DMP’s Tejgaon Division.
“We have detained two people from the scene, and an investigation is under way,” he added, noting that preparations were being made to file a case over the incident.
On Friday afternoon, several hundred people gathered near the parliament demanding official recognition, legal protection, and rehabilitation for those injured during the July Uprising.
The protesters, calling themselves “July Warriors”, breached the gates of the parliament complex and occupied seats reserved for guests in front of the main stage.
Despite attempts by organisers to calm and remove them, the group refused to leave.
In response, Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, assured them that their demands would be addressed. A revised version of the fifth clause of the Charter’s declaration was also read aloud.
When the group still refused to vacate the area, police forcibly removed them from the parliament’s South Plaza around 1:30pm.
Scuffles and baton charges ensued, leading to clashes outside the parliament gates, where multiple cars were vandalised.
Police used stun grenades and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd as protesters hurled bricks and stones.
The “July Warriors” later set fire to police and RAB’s temporary control tents on Manik Mia Avenue after destroying the furniture, CCTV cameras, fans, and air conditioners inside.