Agencies Dhaka

At least 10 people were injured on Friday afternoon in Bangladesh after violent clashes broke out between law enforcers and a group of protesters identifying themselves as "July Warriors" at the Parliament premises in Dhaka just hours before the July Charter Signing ceremony, local media reported.

Confirming the development, Inspector Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) police outpost, said that the injured are currently undergoing treatment at DMCH.

According to a local resident, Gazi, the demonstrators gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital to voice their opposition to the July Charter signing, when police intervened. "Police suddenly began hitting us to clear the area. We were beaten indiscriminately, and several of us were injured," Bangladeshi’s leading newspaper 'The Daily Star' quoted Gazi as saying.

The demonstrators, comprising those injured in the July Uprising and families of the deceased, initially held a sit-in at the Parliament premises on Manik Mia Avenue, insisting on not leaving until their three key demands are met.

Yunus signs July Charter    

Bangladesh's interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Friday said a "new Bangladesh" was born with the signing of a joint declaration called the July Charter at a ceremony boycotted by his key ally, student-led National Citizen Party (NCP).

The charter, drafted after marathon talks between the interim government-instituted National Consensus Commission headed by Yunus, and political parties, contains over 80 reform proposals. "It's the birth of a new Bangladesh," said Yunus, as leaders of different political parties signed the document.