Bangladesh: 'July Warriors' threaten nationwide roadblock over three-point demands
Dhaka, October 18 (IANS). In the wake of tensions over the signing of the July Charter, a group of protesters in Bangladesh called ‘July Jodha Sansad’ (July Warriors) announced that they would block all major highways across the country on Sunday as they press for their three demands, local media reported. The demands include state recognition of those who died in the July 2024 protests, recognition of the injured as ‘July warriors’, a specific road map for the rehabilitation of the families of the deceased and the provision of legal aid to the injured. Amid the boycott by various political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP) and four Left parties, Interim Chief Government Adviser Muhammad Yunus, members of the National Consent Commission and leaders of various political parties signed the July Charter on Friday. Masood Rana, chief organizer of the ‘July Jodha Sansad’ group, announced the blockade during a press conference in Dhaka on Friday evening after clashes between protesters and police near the parliament complex, where they protested against the signing of the July Charter. Bangladeshi daily ‘Jugantor’ quoted Masud as saying: “We have been attacked. To protest the attack on us and to meet our three-point demands, there will be a blockade on the main roads of every district and city from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.” Accusing the police of attacking his “peaceful protest”, Masood said: “We protested peacefully in front of the Parliament Gate. The administrative officials spoke to us, and we assured them that our program would continue till 10:00 without any disturbance. But instead of starting any dialogue or solution, they suddenly attacked us.” Violent clashes broke out between law enforcement officers and protesters at the Parliament complex on Friday afternoon, hours before the July charter signing ceremony, leaving several people injured. Confirming the incident, Inspector Farooq, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) police post, said that 36 people involved in the July protests who were injured were admitted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Reports indicate that the army and police barricaded themselves at the Parliament Gate as the protesters tried to stage a demonstration and press for their demands, leading to violence. The police retaliated with a lathicharge and fired three rounds of sound grenades to disperse the crowd. The protesters then retaliated by vandalizing police vehicles, including a car and a bus, and setting fire to the temporary reception room, control room and furniture set up outside Parliament House for the July charter signing ceremony. The protesters warned the interim government, saying: “If we have to shed our blood again, even another administration will not survive.” He explained how last year’s protests toppled the former Awami League government and paved the way for the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to come to power. The democratically elected Awami League government led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted during violent protests last year. –IANS KR/