Procession Held in Violation of Section 144 in Lakshmipur 10 Injured, Including Police, in Clash Between Student Group and “July Warriors Force”

At least 10 people, including police personnel and pedestrians, were injured in a clash between members of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” and the “July Warriors Force” in Lakshmipur municipality on Sunday (April 5) afternoon. The clash occurred in the Chawk Bazar area after a procession was brought out in violation of Section 144, which had been imposed by the local administration. According to eyewitnesses and police sources, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement attempted to take out a procession around 5:00 pm as part of a pre-announced programme and in protest against a scuffle that took place the...

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At least 10 people, including police personnel and pedestrians, were injured in a
clash between members of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” and the “July Warriors Force” in
Lakshmipur municipality on Sunday (April 5) afternoon.
The clash occurred in the Chawk Bazar area after a procession was brought out in violation of Section 144, which
had been imposed by the local administration.
According to eyewitnesses and police sources, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement
attempted to take out a procession around 5:00 pm as part of a pre-announced programme and in protest against
a scuffle that took place the previous day. Defying the restrictions under Section 144, the procession began in front
of Chawk Mosque under the leadership of Saiful Islam Murad, chief organizer of the Lakshmipur district unit of the
group.
At that time, members of the “July Warriors Force,” who had taken position with a counter-programme,
obstructed the procession, triggering tension between the two sides. The situation soon escalated into a chase and
counter-chase, along with stone-pelting, turning the area into a virtual battleground. Traders in the vicinity
hurriedly closed their shops and moved to safer locations amid fears of further deterioration.
Police resorted to a baton charge to bring the situation under control. Several on-duty police officers were injured
during the clash, along with at least five pedestrians caught in the violence. The injured were rescued and admitted
to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station, Wahed Parvez, told journalists that the situation arose
after one group violated Section 144 and brought out a procession. He said police acted professionally to control
the situation and added that additional forces have been deployed at key points across the town.
A tense calm prevailed in the town until evening. The administration has been making public announcements
urging residents to avoid unnecessary movement outside their homes and to refrain from all forms of gathering.
The district administration also warned of strict legal action against those violating Section 144.