Cases filed against 900 people over violence before July Charter signing

Bangla Press Desk:   Four cases have been filed over the violent clashes between law enforcement agencies and protesters under the banner of “July Warriors” on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka ahead of the signing of the July Charter.

The cases were registered at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, confirmed Inspector (Investigation) Mehedi Hasan on Saturday.

According to police sources, all four cases were filed by law enforcement officials — one by a traffic sergeant and the remaining three by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police officers.

All accused in the cases are unnamed, with approximately 800 to 900 unidentified individuals listed as suspects.

So far, police have arrested one person, identified as Rimon Chandra Barman, in connection with the incident.

The clashes erupted on Friday (17 Oct) when a group of demonstrators, operating under the “July Warriors” banner, gathered on Manik Mia Avenue demanding the inclusion of three specific demands in the July Charter.

Around 1:30pm, tensions escalated near Gate No-12 of the National Parliament building, where protesters clashed with police.

Witnesses said some protesters had already taken positions outside the Parliament building, while others inside the compound joined them later.

At one point, demonstrators broke through Gate No-12 and entered the premises, leading to chaotic scenes as both groups converged.

Protesters reportedly threw bottles and chairs at police, prompting officers to fire sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, demonstrators set fires on the street and hurled bricks and stones, damaging several police vehicles.

Several people, including police personnel, were injured during the clashes, though the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

BP/TD