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identifying as ‘July warriors’ had been occupying Shahbagh intersection since yesterday [Thursday] morning. Despite repeated attempts to persuade them, they refused to leave. This evening, another group also calling themselves ‘July Warriors’ arrived at Shahbagh, which led to fighting and chaos between the two sides.”

“Fearing a major incident, police removed both groups from the street in the interest of public safety. Traffic has now returned to normal,” he added.

The demonstrators who had been occupying Shahbagh claimed that police charged batons on them after they were attacked by the other group.

Md Yasin, one of the protesters, said, “Police beat me on my back. A group came from PG Hospital [BMU] and attacked us. They tore down our stage. While some of them may have been injured during the uprising, most were outsiders who didn’t want our movement to succeed.”

Masud Rana Showrav, chief organiser of the group demonstrating for July Charter, said, “Both the police and the other group attacked us. Two of our members have been admitted to the hospital, and several others were injured. We are now gathering at the Raju Memorial Sculpture. Our next course of action will be announced later.”

Asked about the incident, Khalid Monsur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, told The Daily Star, “The demonstrators had blocked three directions of the intersection. The group of injured individuals, currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, dispersed them, citing public suffering.”

He, however, denied that police had used force.

“There was no incident of police beating anyone. When one group left the area, another group remained and several individuals tried to escalate the situation. Police then dispersed those who were trying to cause unrest,” said the OC.

Meanwhile, one individual claiming to be a “real July Warrior” said, “The government has already announced a date [for finalising the July Charter]. But they [demonstrators] are deliberately causing public suffering by blocking a busy intersection like Shahbagh. As a result, people are growing resentful of the July movement.”

“We spoke to them yesterday too, but they didn’t listen,” he added.