Police filed multiple cases after violent clashes broke out around the Parliament complex on Friday, when demonstrators pushing for the July Charter allegedly attempted to force entry into the restricted area, resulting in attacks on law enforcement and vandalism.
According to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police, unidentified assailants—estimated to be more than 900 in number—were accused in the cases for storming towards the Parliament perimeter during the signing-related gathering.
A group of activists set ablaze the July Charter signing venue on Friday. Photo: Jannatul Ferdous/ TIMES
The police said the situation escalated as protestors tried to break through barricades, leading to scuffles and stone-throwing.
The law enforcers responded with baton charges and dispersed the crowd after several attempts to calm the situation failed. One individual was detained from the scene, police said. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Imaul Haque confirmed on Saturday morning that multiple cases had been registered, naming no specific accused but mentioning around 900 of unidentified participants.
Witnesses said the demonstrators, who identified themselves as “July Warriors,” had marched towards the restricted zone claiming they wanted to “witness the moment of national commitment” at the Parliament.
Their banners carried demands for full implementation of the July Charter and constitutional guarantees for inclusive elections. However, once the crowd reached the security boundary, some groups reportedly began pushing through police lines and damaging barricades.
The authorities said more arrests were likely as CCTV footage and media recordings were being reviewed to identify the attackers.
