Two nabbed, legal action under way over police-‘July Warrior’ clashes

Two “July Warriors” were detained following clashes between police and protesters at the parliament premises, shortly before the July National Charter signing ceremony.

According to police, at least five vehicles were vandalised during the clashes on Friday, and parts of a temporary control room belonging to the police and 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 investigation is under way,” he added, noting that preparations were being made to file a case over the incident.

When asked whether a case would be filed over the arson attack on RAB’s temporary control room, the agency’s Law and Media Wing Director MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said a decision would be made later.

Earlier in the 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-chair 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.