Key Highlights:
- Organisation: July Joddha Sangsad
- Incident Date: Friday, 17 October
- Protest Site: Near the National Parliament Complex, Dhaka
- Nationwide highway blockade on Sunday, 19 October
- Blockade Schedule is From 2 PM to 5 PM in every district town
- Recognition of July Uprising victims as martyrs and injured fighters as heroes, rehabilitation and legal aid for affected families
- Violent confrontations between police and July fighters; 36 admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital
- Police vehicles vandalised and temporary structures set on fire
The July Joddha Sangsad, an organisation representing participants of last year’s July Uprising, has announced a nationwide highway blockade scheduled for Sunday (19 October). The blockade, to be observed from 2 PM to 5 PM in every district town, was declared following violent clashes between protesters and police near the National Parliament Complex on Friday (17 October).
Press Conference Declaration
Masud Rana, the chief organiser of July Joddha Sangsad, made the official announcement during a press conference held in front of Parliament Gate No. 12 on Friday evening just hours after the confrontation took place.
Read more: “They Broke My Artificial Hand Too” — Protester After Parliament Clash
He declared,
“We will not leave the streets until our demands are met. This movement belongs to the people, not to any political party.”
Rana emphasized that the upcoming blockade is a continuation of their peaceful movement aimed at securing recognition and justice for those who fought and sacrificed during the July Uprising.
Allegations of Police Attack
Accusing police of attacking their peaceful sit-in, Masud Rana said,
We were holding our demonstration peacefully in front of the Parliament gate. Administrative officials had spoken to us, and we assured them that our programme would continue until 10am without any disorder. But instead of initiating any discussion or solution, they suddenly launched an attack on us.
Injuries and Damages
According to Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost,
“Thirty-six July Fighters have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital so far.”
বিজ্ঞাপন নয়, কাস্টমার-কেন্দ্রিক চিন্তাই আনে টেকসই গ্রোথ—বিস্তারিত পড়ুন
Several others sustained injuries in the clashes. Witnesses also reported that protesters vandalised police vehicles, including a car and a bus, and set fire to temporary structures erected for the day’s July Charter signing ceremony.
Organisation’s Demands and Background
The July Joddha Sangsad represents individuals injured during last year’s July Uprising and the families of those killed in the movement. Their key demands include:
- Official recognition of the deceased as “martyrs”
- Acknowledgement of the injured as “July injured heroes”
- Rehabilitation of the families of martyrs
- Legal aid for the wounded fighters
Masud Rana alleged that despite repeated discussions with government officials and the National Consensus Commission, the government has denied official recognition to those who “sacrificed blood for the nation’s new dream of freedom.”
Negotiations and Unmet Promises
Rana said their organisation had submitted written demands to deputy commissioners across the country and memorandums to 14 ministries, including the offices of the chief justice and chief election commissioner.
He further claimed that Law Adviser Asif Nazrul had reviewed their proposals and assured inclusion in the final July National Charter. However, Rana lamented that
“None of the promises were reflected when the July Charter was finally published.”
Witnesses said the protesters vandalised police vehicles, including a car and a bus, and set fire to temporary structures erected for the day’s July Charter signing ceremony.
Source: TBS
