A protest demanding justice for attacks on Baul singers and the release of detained artiste Abul Sarkar had been disrupted in Shahbagh after a confrontation with a group identifying themselves as members of “July Mancha”. The scuffle broke out around 5pm on Friday outside the Shahbagh Public Library, where cultural group Sampriti Jatra was holding a programme titled “Ganer Artonad” (The Cry of Song). Organisers alleged the group arrived with a march, demanded the event be stopped, and chanted slogans against Baul Sarkar. At that moment, a group using the name ‘July Mancha’ arrived and objected to the programme. Organisers said the incident occurred in front of Shahbagh Police Station, but police remained “passive”.
