Police disperse ‘July fighters’ from Parliament plaza ahead of July Charter signing

Police have cracked down on participants of last year's July Uprising near the Parliament's South Plaza, using batons, tear gas, and sound grenades to clear the area after the protesters refused to leave.

The demonstrators had gathered in front of the stage for the signing ceremony of the July Charter on Friday, demanding state recognition, legal protection and rehabilitation for those injured during the movement that toppled the Awami League regime in August 2024, bdnews24.com reports.

Families of those killed in the uprising and injured protesters began demonstrating at the South Plaza as officials prepared for the signing ceremony.

Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, went on stage during the protest and announced that amendments would be made to the July Charter to meet the demonstrators’ demands.

Despite that assurance, the protesters continued their sit-in, prompting police to intervene. Law enforcers subsequently chased and beat several protesters with batons, and fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.