Manik Mia Avenue turns violent ahead of July Charter signing ceremony
Published: 17 October 2025, 5:06:46
Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka turned into a battleground on Friday as violent clashes broke out between police and demonstrators identifying as ‘July Fighters’ ahead of the signing ceremony of the long-awaited July National Charter.
Protesters set fires, vandalized property and clashed with police as tensions spiraled in the heart of the capital.
The chaos unfolded around the South Plaza of National Parliament, where the charter was scheduled to be signed at 4:00 PM.
From the morning, individuals claiming to be victims and survivors of July uprising gathered, demanding state recognition and inclusion in the charter under three key demands; including the status of ‘wounded national heroes.’
Despite assurances from Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of National Consensus Commission, that their demands would be acknowledged in the charter, protesters refused to leave the area.
The situation escalated when law enforcement forcibly removed them from the venue, triggering violent confrontations.
Angry protesters moved toward Manik Mia Avenue and set fire to police barricades, including road blockers and also torched a temporary event tent set up in front of Irrigation Department building.
The demonstrators smashed furniture and ceramic items, further intensifying the destruction.
As of 2:00 PM, security forces had managed to push the protesters out of the main avenue.
Police were stationed at Asad Gate, while demonstrators regrouped on the opposite side.
The entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue was under police control, with sound grenades being fired intermittently to disperse remaining pockets of protest.
Movement along Manik Mia Avenue has been completely halted; neither vehicles nor pedestrians are being allowed through. Traffic disruptions have also spilled over to adjacent roads, including Mirpur Road.
Two splinter groups of protesting ‘July Fighters’ were seen positioned near Aarong and Khamar Bari intersessions, indicating continued unrest.
Security has been tightened across the area in anticipation of further escalation.
